China and the Republic of Congo on Tuesday vowed to cement friendship between the two nations and expand bilateral cooperation.

The pledge was made during a meeting between visiting Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu and Congolese President Denis Sassou N'guesso in the Congolese capital Brazzaville, after which the two nations signed cooperation agreements on economy and technology.

Hui praised the relationship between China and the Republic of Congo, saying the bilateral relationships have developed smoothly since the two nations forged diplomatic relations 48 years ago. He hoped the visit will consolidate the traditional friendship between the two nations and deepen practical cooperation.

Hui said the bilateral relationships have been improving faster during the recent years and that the two countries have gradually "established all-weather and all-round friendly cooperation, which becomes the model of China-Africa and South-South cooperation."

The two nations have always supported each other on major issues of each other's concern and the bilateral ties have withstood various tests, Hui said.

Hui said the two nations should cement and pass on the tractional friendship and expand and deepen practical cooperation. He also said the two sides should enhance communication and coordination in dealing with international issues and implement the outcomes of the fifth ministerial conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Denis Sassou N'guesso echoed Hui's remarks on the bilateral relations, saying the bilateral cooperation has covered various sectors and proved to be very successful.

He said the Congolese government and people cherish the deep friendship with the Chinese and hoped to further intensify the ties.

The president also thanked China for the huge support and aid to his country and Africa as well as China's help after the munitions depot blast that happened on March 4.

He welcomed Hui's proposals on further strengthening the bilateral ties, hoping the cooperation will be stepped up in infrastructure, agriculture and farm products processing. He also hoped to learn from experiences of China's economic development and welcomed China's investment in his country.?