A senior Chinese Communist Party official has pledged to forge “closer exchanges” with Cape Verde’s ruling party, the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

Guo Jinlong, a member of the party’s Politburo, made the remarks on Tuesday in Beijing, after meeting with Janira Fonseca Almada, PAICV’s chairwoman.

The two nations “have always respected and supported each other”, setting a good example for bilateral relations between countries with different sizes and political systems, said Mr Guo.

He also called for “new progress in party-to-party cooperation” between the two political formations.

Ms Fonseca Almada was quoted by Xinhua saying her party regarded the Chinese Communist Party as “a strategic partner”. She added Cape Verde was very grateful to China’s help and support over the years.