São Tomé and Príncipe has officially recognised the new Chinese Ambassador Wang Wei, the Portuguese news agency Lusa reports.

Mr Wang is the first Chinese ambassador to São Tomé and Príncipe since diplomatic relations resumed last December. He had previously been charge d’affaires to the country.

Mr Wang says the appointment is a boost for China’s work assisting the development of São Tomé and Príncipe. He said “China and São Tomé and Príncipe are opening wide spaces of cooperation” in areas such as energy, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and healthcare.