Mainland China is ready to implement a five-year bilateral co-operation plan with São Tomé and Príncipe, the state-run news agency Xinhua reports.

Premier Li Keqiang was reported as saying the Mainland wanted to strengthen political trust, promote pragmatic co-operation and expand people-to-people exchanges in a new chapter of mutually beneficial co-operation between the two countries.

Beijing hopes to offer more opportunities for residents of the African nation to study and train in the Mainland, and for its medical teams to work in São Tomé and Príncipe.

Mr Li’s pledges were made yesterday during a meeting with São Tomé and Príncipe’s Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada. Mr Trovoada started his official tour on Wednesday, the first since the nations resumed official ties in December.

The countries have signed agreements to co-operate in the fields of infrastructure development, tourism, agriculture and fisheries.

São Tomé and Príncipe would provide ideal conditions for Mainland investment, Xinhua quoted Mr Trovoada as saying.