The friendly and cooperative relations between China and Angola have developed steadily in terms of politics and economy in recent years, with brighter prospects in sight for their relationship to further strengthen.

In the political arena, the mutual understanding and political trust between China and Angola has deepened, as cooperation in various fields has expanded and bilateral ties have developed steadily since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1983.

Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos visited China twice in the 1980s and 1990s, and senior Chinese delegations also paid visits to the African country several times. This exchange of visits by high-level leaders of the two countries played an important role in pushing forward their bilateral ties.

The friendly and cooperative relationship has been further broadened as China and Angola have shared much common ground when dealing with international affairs.

Angola upholds the one-China policy, considering Taiwan as an inseparable part of China and backing the Chinese government's principle and stance on peaceful reunification.

Angola also provides China with invaluable support in the field of human rights.

Regarding the area of economy, the cooperation between the two countries has also witnessed a steady development.

Since the end of Angola's civil war in 2002, the Chinese government has provided the war-ravaged country with aid to the best of its ability and encouraged Chinese enterprises to invest in Angola to help its post-war reconstruction.

In 2004, China and Angola signed a series of cooperation agreements, under which China will provide Angola with funds, technology, materials and equipment and launch infrastructure construction in Angola's agriculture, health, education, transportation, media, power and public projects.

This degree of cooperation has achieved win-win results and further promoted China-Angola economic and trade relations.

In recent years, economic and trade exchange between China and Angola has increased rapidly. Bilateral trade increased to 6.95 billion U.S. dollars in 2005 from 1.148 billion U.S. dollars in 2002.

In the first four months of 2006 alone, bilateral trade volume reached 3.8 billion dollars, which secured Angola the first ranking among African countries in terms of trade volume with China in the period.

Against such a backdrop, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will visit Angola on June 20-21 at the invitation of Angola's President Dos Santos. The two leaders will discuss ways to further strengthen their friendship and expand cooperation in various fields, as well as exchange views on issues of common concern.

The two countries will also sign cooperation agreements on economy, trade, agriculture, health and legal affairs.

Backgrounder:

Key facts about Angola

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will visit Angola on June 20-21 as part of his seven-nation Africa tour. The following is a series of key facts about the sub-Saharancountry in southwest Africa.

Bordering Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on the north, Zambia on the east, Namibia on the south and the Atlantic Ocean on the west, Angola covers a land area of 1,246,700square km with a population of 13.1 million.

Portuguese is the official language, but Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo, Tchokwe and Ovambo are the national languages.

As Portugal's colony, the Angolans launched a struggle for independence in the 1950s. In 1975, Angola declared independence after the People's Liberation Movement of Angola (MPLA), the Angolan National Liberation Front (FNLA) and the National Union for Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) reached agreements with the Portuguese government.

After independence, the southwestern African country was plunged into a 27-year civil war, which was only brought to an end in April 2002 when the Angolan government signed a truce deal with UNITA.

Angola is rich in resources, such as crude oil, natural gas, diamonds, iron, copper, gold, quartz and marble. Oil is the mainstay of Angola's economy, with a daily output of about 1.2 million barrels in 2004.

Coffee, sugar cane, cotton, sisal and peanuts are Angola's major cash crops, while maize, cassava, rice, wheat and peas are the country's main agricultural crops.

Angola established diplomatic ties with China on Jan. 12, 1983.Bilateral trade volume reached 6.95 billion U.S. dollars in 2005.