China is willing to promote all-round cooperation with São Tomé and Príncipe and strengthen communications to protect common interests, says Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The Chinese government-run news agency Xinhua reported Mr Wang’s comments during talks with São Tomé and Príncipe Foreign Minister Urbino Botelho in São Tomé on Monday.

Mr Wang said Beijing could also support São Tomé and Príncipe’s growth and development. Since resuming diplomatic ties in December 2016, both countries had achieved remarkable co-operation on development and in other exchanges.

Mr Botelho was quoted as saying that Chinese companies were welcome to help the Central African island nation improve infrastructure and to co-operate in fishing, farming and other key industries.

Mr Wang visited Rwanda, Angola and Gabon prior to São Tomé and Príncipe, this trip’s final leg.