China vowed on Monday to explore new areas of cooperation, including new energy, with the Northwest African country of Mauritania.

The two countries also signed agreements for China to help Mauritania build a stadium in its capital, Nouakchott, and to send medical teams to work in the country.

President Xi Jinping and visiting Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz witnessed the signing ceremony in Beijing after their meeting at the Great Hall of the People.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China's diplomatic ties with Mauritania. Xi told Aziz at the start of their talks, "In the past half-century, China and Mauritania have trusted each other and cooperated sincerely.

"We are good friends and partners," he added.

In the meeting, the two presidents agreed to deepen cooperation in traditional areas including infrastructure, minerals and fisheries, and at the same time explore new fields such as hydropower and clean energy.

Xi said he appreciated Mauritania's long-term support on issues related to China's core interests and major concerns.

He said Beijing will continue to support the African country's efforts to maintain stability and seek development.

Aziz said his country cherishes its long-term, friendly ties with China.

Mauritania expects to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Xi and welcomes Chinese investment, he added.

Aziz is on a state visit to China from Sept 9 to 16. He attended the opening ceremony of the China-Arab States Expo, which was held from Sept 10 to 13 in Yinchuan, capital of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, in Northwest China.

Aziz said when addressing the expo that at present, China holds "an important status on the international stage due to its ancient civilization, giant economy and the huge sacrifice it made in protection of world peace and security".

He said that China, which has insisted on solving disputes through peaceful means, has played an active role in regional and global issues and has established solid ties with Arab and African countries, including Mauritania.

Chinese Ambassador to Mauritania Wu Dong said on July 21 during a reception marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties that the relations have been tested by history and time.

He said that since 1967, China has finished more than 40 projects in Mauritania, making great contributions to the country.

Wu added that Beijing has agreed to start a project to help Mauritania's capital to upgrade its stormwater drainage system to raise the quality of life for residents.

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(China Daily 09/15/2015 page3)