China will encourage its companies to invest in Angola, and to take part in the construction of industrial parks and infrastructure there, China’s President, Xi Jinping, pledged.

His comments came on Tuesday during a meeting in Beijing with his Angolan counterpart, José Eduardo dos Santos.

According to Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua, Mr Xi added he looked forward to signing bilateral agreements on currency swaps, investment protection and avoidance of double taxation between the two countries.

Mr dos Santos said – as quoted by Xinhua – that the Angolan Government would in its turn strive to provide a good environment for Chinese firms investing in the country. He also said he hoped for closer bilateral co-operation on “infrastructure, education, science and technology, electricity, agriculture, industry, and finance”.

Both heads of state witnessed on Tuesday the signing of several co-operation agreements, but the amount of the Chinese loans involved was not revealed, Portuguese news agency Lusa reported. It quoted Lin Songtian, Director for African Affairs in China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying that was a “confidential” issue, for now.

News agency Reuters mentioned that Angola was seeking financing for a US$4.5 billion hydropower scheme involving Chinese firm China Gezhouba. The firm has a contract to build a dam in Angola. The hydropower project, the news outlet added, would to be completed within six years and be financed by Chinese bank loans.

The Angolan President also held meetings on Tuesday with Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, and the Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Yu Zhengsheng.