The outgoing President of Cape Verde’s National Assembly, Basílio Mosso Ramos, has praised the co-operation between the African Nation and China, the Cape Verdean newspaper A Semana reported.

Mr Ramos was speaking on Monday at a ceremony marking the opening of an exhibition in the country’s parliament to celebrate 40 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Mr Ramos said — as quoted by the media outlet — Cape Verde’s development so far is due not only to the work of local people, but also to co-operation ties with several countries, including China. He also expressed the Cape Verdean people’s “profound” gratitude to China.

The National Assembly Palace, built in 1985 as a result of Sino-Cape Verdean co-operation, will close in May for two years of renovation work funded by China.

China’s Ambassador to Cape Verde, Du Xiaocong, also praised — as quoted by the newspaper — the existing relationship between the two nations. He also expressed a will to see those ties strengthened in the future.