Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Guinean President Alpha Conde in Beijing on Wednesday, and both decided to set up bilateral strategic cooperation partnership.

The two leaders agreed to take the opportunity in implementing the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to expand two-way cooperation in diversified areas, and ensure a broader future for China-Guinea ties.

Citing Guinea as the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to forge diplomatic ties with new China 57 years ago, Xi said the two countries always support each other on issues regarding respective core interests and major concerns, and their bilateral cooperation has withstood the test of time.

Xi called on the two countries to enhance cooperation between governments, ruling parties, legislative organizations and localities, to consolidate political foundation for long-lasting friendship.

China is ready to expand agricultural cooperation with Guinea to help the country's agriculture production, he said. Xi pledged stronger bilateral cooperation in resource exploration in a bid to facilitate capacity cooperation and infrastructure building in railways, ports, electricity and communication.

Xi also vowed to boost cultural and educational cooperation with Guinea, and strengthen coordination on global and regional issues such as China-Africa renewable energy cooperation, climate change, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals, as well as Africa's peace and security.

China will fully implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit and combine its own development with assisting Africa's sustainable growth, in order to achieve common development, Xi said.

Conde congratulated the successful convening of the sixth plenary session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee held in Beijing last week, and spoke highly of China's economic and social development under the CPC's leadership.

He expressed appreciation for China's support over the past years, citing China's aid in fighting the Ebola epidemic.

Guinea hopes to expand cooperation with China in resources, energy, technology, agriculture, hydropower, infrastructure and port construction, said Conde, who is on a state visit to China from Oct. 26 to Nov. 4.

Conde said that his country appreciates China's Africa policy that features sincerity, practical results, affinity and good faith and endeavors to participate in Africa-China cooperation under the framework of the Xi-proposed "ten major cooperation plans."

"Guinea hopes to be China's strategic partner in Africa," Conde said.

At the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit last December, Xi announced ten major China-Africa cooperation plans for the next three years, backed by 60 billion U.S. dollars, including interest free loans and preferential policies.

After their talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as diplomacy, economy, infrastructure, aviation, culture, public health and finance.

China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang also met with Conde earlier on Wednesday. Zhang said the Chinese National People's Congress hopes to enhance exchanges with Guinea's National Assembly on legislation and governance, to improve policy and the legal environment for bilateral cooperation.

Conde said he hopes to learn from China's development experience through his current visit and beef up cooperation with China in all areas.

Before arriving in Beijing, Conde visited northwest China's Shaanxi Province. He will later head to Sichuan Province.

This is Conde's first state visit to China since he was elected president of Guinea in November 2010. He was reelected as Guinean president in October 2015.

(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2016)