Angola’s National Defence Minister, João Gonçalves Lourenço, is paying an official six-day visit to China starting on Monday, Angolan news agency Angop reported. The aim is to strengthen strategic co-operation and exchange between the two countries in several areas related to defence.

Mr Lourenço arrived in Beijing on Sunday, following an invitation by his Chinese counterpart, Fan Changlong.

Mr Fan and Mr Lourenço are expected to hold a private meeting on Monday. Delegations from the two nations were also expected to hold official conversations the same day.

The Angolan Minister is due to visit several Chinese organisations related to science and technology, as well as research centres and military academic institutions. His itinerary includes the cities of Chengdu and Shanghai as well as Beijing.

Last week Portuguese news agency Lusa reported that Angola plans to spend 847.3 billion kwanzas (US$6.7 billion) on defence, security and public order in 2015.

The Portuguese media outlet also reported – quoting a dispatch from the Angolan President – that Angola has authorised an investment of US$44.6 million to buy uniforms and other military equipment from Chinese company China Xinxing Import and Export Corporation.