Beijing officially restored diplomatic relations with São Tomé and Príncipe on Monday, the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reports.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his counterpart from São Tomé and Príncipe, Urbino Botelho, signed a joint communiqué to restore ties that were first established in 1975 and ended in 1997, when the Portuguese-speaking nation recognised Taiwan.

“The One-China principle is a consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations,” Mr Wang was reported as saying.

Mr Botelho said São Tomé and Príncipe recognised the Mainland’s international influence and role in protecting the interests of developing countries. He welcomed Mainland investors and tourists whose stimulus would help accelerate development and industrialisation.

Mr Wang said both nations could work to enhance political trust and the friendship of their peoples. He flagged agriculture, fisheries and tourism as areas for co-operation.

China would co-operate with São Tomé and Príncipe through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.