China’s Ambassador to Angola, Cui Aimin, has called for a further strengthening of bilateral co-operation, Angola news agency Angop reported.

“We are going [to implement] a new engine for the development of Sino-Angolan relations,” said Mr Cui Aimin.

The diplomat was speaking on Monday in the Angolan capital, Luanda, on the occasion of the 66th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, an event officially celebrated in China on October 1st.

Mr Cui Aimin said – as quoted by Angop – China and Angola should explore new fields of collaboration. The strategy, he added, should include industrial co-operation, as well as partnerships related to investments and to the strengthening of production capacity.

The Chinese Ambassador also noted the role played by Chinese companies in promoting bilateral relations. He added China’s Central Government fully supports business between Chinese and Angolan firms.

“We hope that Chinese firms continue acting as supporters of co-operation between the two countries, instead of reversing [policy] in the face of temporary difficulties,” Mr Cui Aimin said.

The Chinese diplomat acknowledged Sino-Angolan co-operation was facing some constraints, but he assured his listeners that both sides were making an effort to overcome them.