The President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, will visit China next week, Mozambican newspaper Notícias reported.

The official visit – due to take place between May 16 and 21 – was authorised on Monday by the Permanent Committee of the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique.

Mateus Katupha, spokesperson of that parliamentary committee, said – as quoted by the newspaper – the group considers that formal visits – such as this one to China – can help the country to strengthen co-operation and friendship ties with other nations and peoples.

Last week, China’s Ambassador to Mozambique, Su Jian, said his nation is willing “to increase the support to Mozambique, in order to help the country overcome this negative moment”. He was referring to a downturn in the African nation’s economy.

Additionally last week, China and Mozambique signed a new technical and economic co-operation agreement, under which the Chinese Government will donate US$16 million to Mozambique to help fund a number of infrastructure projects, including the acquisition of 80 buses for urban public transport.