China hopes to expand trade with the Republic of the Congo and promote cooperation in agriculture, energy, minerals, telecommunications and water and power supply, said visiting Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan in Brazzaville Thursday.

The two economies are highly complementary and economic and trade cooperation has a great potential, said Zeng in talks with Congolese Prime Minister Isidore Mvouba.

He promised that China would continue to provide assistance to Congo and enhance efforts in training Congolese personnel.

After the talks, the two countries signed cooperation agreements on economics, technology, energy and minerals.

Zeng also met Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso on the same day. The president reiterated his country's one-China policy and expressed hopes that political, economic, cultural and health cooperation could be further promoted.

Zeng thanked Congo for its one-China policy and its support for China's stance on human rights and other issues.

He said economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has made strides in recent years. Bilateral trade almost doubled in 2004 alone, he said.

The Chinese official invited President Sassou-Nguesso to the next meeting of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, saying the forum initiated in 2000 has become a key platform for China-Africa unity, cooperation and common development.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2005)