Maputo — Mozambican President Armando Guebuza on Thursday received the Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Zhai Jun, who is on a three day working visit to the country.

At the end of the audience, Zhai told reporters that the two governments are satisfied with the state of the bilateral relations between Mozambique and China, and believe these relations can be extended to further areas with deeper content.

“I was in Mozambique for the first time five years ago, and I noted that there have been great changes”, said Zhai. “In all corners there is an image of vitality, and potential for development”.

“Our friendship is solid and, despite the international situation, it will continue”, he added. “We can extend our cooperation with mutual benefits to other areas, such as agriculture”.

Zhai’s visit is intended to assess bilateral relations, and analyse implementation of the results of the Firth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held in July 2011.

Currently the main areas of cooperation between Mozambique and China are in infrastructures and training. China has financed several major building projects, including the new Maputo International Airport, and the national stadium, in the Maputo suburb of Zimpeto.