Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and his Liberian counterpart Joseph Nyuma Boakai held talks Friday, pledging to increase cooperation and promote bilateral relationship.

"We will work with this African nation to increase friendly exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade and culture," Xi told Boakai, saying that the two countries should especially make joint efforts to cope with the current international financial crisis.

Hailing the China-Liberia relations since they resumed diplomatic ties in 2003, Xi said leaders of both nations have paid special attention to the development of bilateral ties.

The two countries have enjoyed mutual respect and increasing cooperation in economy and trade, and supported each other in international affairs. "The China-Liberia friendship brings tangible interests for the two peoples," Xi said.

China applauds Liberia's adherence to the one-China policy, Xi noted.

As to China-Africa relations, Xi said important progress has been made in implementing the follow-up actions to the China-Africa summit in Beijing in 2006.

The fourth ministerial conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is scheduled for the last quarter of 2009. China will increase coordination with African countries to make the conference a success, and advance China-Africa relations to a new level, Xi noted.

Echoing Xi, Boakai agreed that the Liberia-China relations has stepped into a new phase. He expressed appreciation for China's support for Liberia's reconstruction process.

Boakai expects more Chinese businesses to invest in his country and increase win-win cooperation in agriculture, mining and capacity building sectors.

The vice president reiterated Liberia's support to China concerning Taiwan and Tibet issues.

Boakai was here for his first Beijing tour as guest of Xi Jinping.

The two vice presidents witnessed the signing of some bilateral documents concerning such fields as economic and technological cooperation, supply of malaria prevention medicine and office building of Liberia's health department.

(Xinhua News Agency July 11, 2009)