China’s new Ambassador to Cape Verde, Du Xiaocong, has promised to work on strengthening the ties between the two countries, Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

The pledge was made last week when he met with Cape Verde’s President Jorge Carlos Fonseca in the country’s capital, Praia.

“China will promote the friendship with Cape Verde, intensify friendly exchanges and strengthen co-operation between the two countries,” the ambassador was quoted as saying.

Cultural exchanges have become a major area of bilateral co-operation in recent years, beside trade, health and education, Mr Du added.

Mr Fonseca stressed China was “one of the most important partners” for Cape Verde.

“We hope the relationship will become stronger, covering other sectors such as maritime economy, air transport, information and communications technology, finance, tourism and general economic cooperation,” stated the President of Cape Verde.

Mr Du replaced Su Jian who completed in February his two-year tenure as China’s Ambassador to the archipelago.

According to the Chinese Embassy, 52-year-old Mr Du joined the Chinese Government in 1985. He served in state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corp and the Department of African Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.