China attaches importance to the development of its relations with Angola, said Zhong Jianhua, an envoy on African affairs representing the Chinese Government.

He made his remarks during a meeting on Thursday with Angola’s President José Eduardo dos Santos, in the country’s capital, Luanda, Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported. China’s President Xi Jinping sent Mr Zhong there to attend the ceremony of the 40th anniversary of independence of the African nation. It was held this week.

Mr Zhong said during the meeting China was “was ready to implement, through joint efforts with the Angolan side, agreements reached during President Santos’ June visit to China”. The hope was to “promote the strategic partnership between the two countries to a new high,” he added.

Hailing China’s contribution to the development of Angola, Mr Santos said his nation was “willing to deepen co-operation with China in all fields, particularly in the areas of investment and financing, as well as creating favourable conditions for the development of Chinese enterprises in Angola”.

During the June visit of Mr Santos to China, Angola sealed deals worth US$6 billion to finance its public investment programme.