China pledged Tuesday to continue aid and preferential measures for Sierra Leone to help its economy.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told visiting President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone that China was ready to support economic construction through enhanced bilateral cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure and resource exploration.

Amid the global downturn, Wen urged the international community to support less developed countries. China was willing to cooperate closely with African countries to implement follow-up actions to the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in November 2006, and work out new cooperation plans to cement the China-Africa new strategic partnership, he added.

Koroma said Sierra Leone and China had enjoyed traditional friendship and sound relations, and his visit demonstrated Sierra Leone's determination to promote relations with China.

In an earlier meeting with Chinese top political advisor Jia Qinglin, Koroma voiced his hope that the two countries would expand cooperation in economy, trade and agriculture to cope with the downturn, and enhance coordination under the China-Africa Cooperation Forum.

Koroma reaffirmed his country's firm adherence to the one-China policy.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said China was committed to deepening political trust with Sierra Leone and expanding substantial cooperation in education, public health and human resources.

Koroma arrived in Beijing on Sunday for his first state visit to China since taking office in September, 2007. His seven-day trip will also take him to central China's Hunan Province and the financial hub of Shanghai.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2009)