China has called for closer ties with Cape Verde via trust and co-operation in areas from agriculture to education. The call comes after the two nations signed a visa-exemption agreement for their diplomats and officials.

Xinhua, an official Chinese news agency, reported that the Foreign Minister of Cape Verde, Jorge Tolentino, held talks in Beijing on Tuesday with Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao and separately with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Mr Li described both nations as “good brothers, friends and partners”, according to the agency.

“China is ready to work with Cape Verde to promote traditional friendship, cement political mutual trust… to lift bilateral ties to a higher level,” Xinhua quoted the Vice President as saying.

Mr Tolentino in turn was quoted as saying his country “welcomes” Chinese investment and the establishment of the Confucius Institute in Cape Verde to “strengthen people-to-people exchanges”.

In Mr Wang’s meeting with his Cape Verde counterpart, he said both sides should first strengthen “mutual beneficial cooperation in agriculture, marine economy, health services, education and human resources development”.

Xinhua reported the two foreign ministers signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic or official passports after the meeting.