China’s Ambassador to Angola, Gao Kexiang, on Wednesday said goodbye to the African country’s Vice President, Manuel Vicente, as Mr Gao’s appointment there comes to an end, Angolan news agency Angop reported.

Speaking to journalists in the capital Luanda, Mr Gao said – as quoted by the news outlet – the relationship between China and Angola is going through a “golden moment”.

The diplomat also said he was satisfied to have witnessed how Angola has further developed with China’s support.

Earlier this month Mr Gao pointed out the urgent need to train local talents in Angola, amidst the country’s rapid economic development. He also pledged that the Chinese Embassy in Angola would continue to encourage Sino-Angolan civil bodies and Chinese enterprises actively to take part in initiatives that would benefit residents in both countries.

The President of Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos, visited China last month. Mr Gao had stated at the time, that the event gave a “strong impetus to the future development of the China-Angola relationship”.