Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Mali's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Moctar Ouane in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 22, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)

    China on Friday pledged to cement its cooperation with Mali as the western African nation's foreign minister visited Beijing.

    "As China and Mali will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, we should take the opportunity to step up exchanges and expand substantive cooperation for stronger bilateral ties," Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang told Mali's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Moctar Ouane.

    Ouane was paying an official visit to China from Aug. 20 to 24 as guest of his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.

    Li reviewed the 49-year-old diplomatic ties, saying cooperation in various fields yielded fruitful results and both peoples forged deeply-rooted friendship.

    Li said both nations supported each other on issues concerning core interests and concern.

    China and Mali have kept frequent high-level visits in recent years.

    Chinese President Hu Jintao paid his first visit to this western African nation in February, one leg of "a journey of friendship and cooperation."

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Mali's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Moctar Ouane in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 22, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)

    Malian President Amadou Toumany Toure attended the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in November 2006, and the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in August 2008.

    Cooperation between the two countries has also expanded in economy, trade, culture, education and health.

    Trade between China and Mali hit more than 200 million U.S. dollars in 2008, according to official figures.

    From 1968 to 2008, China has sent more than 670 medical workers to Mali and treated about three million local patients.

    "As the global economic downturn took its toll on both China and Africa, the recovery will take time and be difficult," Li told Ouane. "China would like to work with Mali and other African nations to tide over difficulties and build stronger strategic partnership."

    Ouane said Mali appreciated China's long-standing support and would like to work together for better ties.

    Ouane will also visit southern China's Guangdong Province during his visit.