China’s new Ambassador to Angola, Cui Aiming, pledged on Monday to explore new areas of co-operation between China and Angola during his tenure, Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

Mr Cui was speaking at a ceremony in Angola’s capital, Luanda, where he presented his credentials to the Angolan President, José Eduardo dos Santos.

The Ambassador stressed – as quoted by Xinhua – Angola is an important strategic partner of China in Africa. He added the Chinese Government attached great importance to the development of Sino-Angolan ties.

During the ceremony, Mr Cui also pledged to work hard for the implementation of bilateral agreements signed in June during the Angolan President’s most recent visit to Beijing.

Mr dos Santos said – also quoted by Xinhua – that China provided strong support to Angola’s socio-economic development. He said he hoped the two countries could strengthen bilateral co-operation in several fields, including by establishing closer strategic ties to deal with future challenges.

According to the news outlet, Angola’s President also noted China was a rising power and played an increasingly important role in world affairs.