Chinese National People’s Congress Standing Committee Chairman Li Zhanshu has told the presiding officer of the legislature of São Tomé e Príncipe, Delfim das Neves, that their countries should uphold each other’s interests, Xinhua reports.

The Chinese government-run news agency quotes both Mr Li and Mr Neves as expressing hope when they met this week in Beijing that their legislatures can strengthen their friendship, arrange more exchanges and coordinate their work more.

São Tomé e Príncipe is interested in closer engagement with China in the fields of energy, infrastructure construction, fisheries, healthcare and culture, Xinhua quotes Mr Neves as saying.

In a separate report, Reuters says Mr Neves is due to leave China on Friday.