The results from the first few months of co-operation between Mainland China and São Tomé and Príncipe have been positive, says the country’s Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada.

Mr Trovoada’s remarks were published by the state-run news agency Xinhua ahead of his official visit to the Mainland, which commenced today.

The two countries resumed diplomatic ties in December and Mr Trovoada said he was pleased to see the “visible results very quickly” in areas such as agriculture, health, energy and education.

“I believe that the first few months are very positive,” Xinhua reported Mr Trovoada as saying. “There is a real political will to work together, to co-operate and to truly create this relationship of trust and solidarity between the two countries.”

São Tomé and Príncipe has exempted Mainland diplomatic and service passport-holders from applying for visas, and introduced visa-on-arrival arrangements for other Mainland travellers.

Mr Trovoada said there should be more cultural exchanges and a batch of 55 students from São Tomé and Príncipe would soon commence studies in the Mainland.

Mr Trovoada’s tour will include meeting President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, who plan to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and China-Africa co-operation.