BEIJING, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- China values developing friendly relationship with Angola, China's largest trading partner in Africa, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Monday told visiting Angolan Prime Minister Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets with Angolan Prime Minister Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Nov. 6, 2006. [Xinhua]

During a meeting with Fernando, Wen said that China supports the reconstruction and development plan of Angola, and encourages bilateral cooperation in such fields as culture, education and medical care.

Wen said that the cooperation between countries should follow the principle of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, which is reflected in the Sino-Angolan relationship. China is willing to consolidate and develop friendly cooperation relationship with African countries including Angola in line with this principle.

China appreciates Angola's active role in the issue of the Great Lakes region, and will, as always, make contribution to an early realization of peace and prosperity in the region, Wen said.

Fernando said that economic rehabilitation and poverty relief are the major tasks of Angola at present. His visit to China helps him learn of the successful development experience of China. Angola hopes to promote cooperation between the two sides and has further talks with China on bilateral economic cooperation projects, especially in the fields of fishery, electric power, road and urban water supply.

The prime minister visited Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province and Shanghai, China's commercial hub, before his arrival in Beijing on Thursday for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which concluded on Sunday.

China and Angola established diplomatic relations on January 12,1983. Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola Roberto Antonio de Almeida visited China in 2001. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Angola in June 2006.

Bilateral trade has been growing rapidly in recent years, totaling 6.95 billion US dollars in 2005, making Angola China's largest trading partner in Africa.

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