Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo met visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Malabo on Jan.2 (Tuesday) on bilateral ties.

Li said the relations between Equatorial Guinea and China are developing in a healthy way, marked by deepening mutual political trust and strengthening cooperation in various fields, which have benefited the peoples of the two countries.

China has put forward a series of measures on expanding aid to Africa, tariff exemption and debt write-off at the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which will present new opportunities to both countries within the framework of the forum,Li said.

As Equatorial Guinea's economy has embarked on a fast developing track, China would encourage and support Chinese enterprises to invest in the country for more cooperation with mutual benefit, Li said.

 Terming China as a major cooperation partner and the best friend for his country and Africa, Obiang said the government and people of Equatorial Guinea welcome more Chinese help and involvement in the country's construction.

The president also dismissed some media reports which accused China of plundering resources and seeking neo-hegemonism in Africa. He said that China genuinely helps African countries, be it strong or not, resourceful or not.

China has made many substantial contributions to the African people, he added.

Li also met with Prime Minister Ricardo Mangue Obama Nfube in the same day.

Li arrived in Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea, after concluding his visit to Benin, the first leg of his seven-nation Africa tour, which will also take him to Guinea Bissau, Chad, the Central African Republic, Eritrea and Botswana.