São Toméan Foreign Minister Elsa Pinto has said São Tomé e Príncipe should follow the example set by China in achieving economic development in just 40 years, STP-Press reports.

The São Toméan state-run news agency quotes Ms Pinto as saying at an event held in the capital, São Tomé, to celebrate of 70 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China that she hoped China will keep helping her country develop.

The report quotes Chinese Ambassador to São Tomé e Príncipe Wang Wei as saying China is amenable to helping all countries develop peacefully.

Among the celebrations in São Tomé e Príncipe, organised by the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, were an exhibition of photographs, and performances by Chinese acrobats and singers, including a performance of Sichuan traditional opera, STP-Press says.