Premier Li has concluded the third leg of his tour in Angola. While there, Li stressed on strengthening the role of the two governments in coordinating and leading bilateral cooperation and development planning. He also visited Chinese medical workers in the country.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang(front R) inspects an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony with Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos (front L), in Luanda, Angola, May 9, 2014. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
A warm welcome for Premier Li Keqiang in Angola.
Since the end of the 2002 civil war, Angola’s economy has been growing at a rapid pace due to the oil industry and massive reconstruction programs.
In his meeting with Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, Premier Li suggested that the two countries should steer their cooperation along an industry-driven mode, and continue to expand the program of preferential loans. Li also said that both countries should deepen practical cooperation in energy, infrastructure, finance, agriculture, urbanization and manufacturing.
Premier Li promised that the Chinese government would continue to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Angola. In return, he said he hoped that Angola would continue to help with Chinese investment and ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel.
In 2013, trade between the two countries reached 36 billion US dollars. By the end of 2013, China’s accumulative investment in Angola had exceeded eight billion dollars. Angola has become China’s second largest trading partner in Africa.
The Angolan President welcomed the increased investment and active participation by Chinese enterprises in the African nation’s economic and social development. He pledged his country’s assistance towards such investment.
After their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation deals on economy, technology, health care, finance, and personnel exchanges. Later, at a joint press conference, Premier Li said China will help Angola’s infrastructure building using Chinese technology and experience.
Moreover, he said China is ready to promote closer people-to-people exchanges and increase mutual understanding between the two peoples. He also pointed out that more than one million Chinese people work in Africa and 260 thousand live in Angola.
Premier Li said China is supporting strong and credible Chinese enterprises to invest in the country. Li Keqiang also visited Chinese medical workers assisting the country. Li encouraged them to overcome language difficulties and help patients with their great skills.
Since 1963, China has been sending medical teams to Africa. So far, there are Chinese medical personnel in more than 40 African countries. Premier Li was given a warm send-off at the airport by the Angolan president. Angola was the third leg of Li’s four-nation Africa tour, which has already taken him to Ethiopia and Nigeria.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) holds talks with Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, in Luanda, Angola, May 9, 2014. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (1st L) and Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos (2nd L) attend a signing ceremony of a series of cooperation documents, in Luanda, Angola, May 9, 2014. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
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