"The peoples of the two countries enjoy deep traditional friendship. Our relations are time-tested and have endured the vicissitude of international situations," Jia told Laurent Dona Fologo, president of Cote d'Ivoire's Economic and Social Council, who attended the weekend Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said China appreciates Cote d'Ivoire's firm adherence to the one-China policy.

"We are ready to expand economic and trade cooperation with Cote d'Ivoire based on the principle of mutual benefit to further push forward bilateral cooperation," Jia said.

Fologo said Cote d'Ivoire welcomes Chinese enterprises to participate into his country's economic construction.

He said China has always supported African people's efforts in maintaining national sovereignty and boosting economic development, and the cooperation between China and Africa has become an important part of South-South cooperation.

China and Cote d'Ivoire forged diplomatic ties in 1983.

Jia also met with Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, Chad's Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration Ahmad Allam-miand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and French Affairs Come Zoumara of the Central Africa Republic on Monday.

Leaders and senior officials from 48 African countries that have established diplomatic ties with China attended the two-day Beijing Summit, which was regarded as a milestone in China-Africa history.