On December 27, 2016, State Councilor Yang Jiechi met at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse with Foreign Minister Urbino Botelho of Sao Tome and Principe.

Yang Jiechi expressed that the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Sao Tome and Principe conforms to the epochal trend and is in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and their people. Appreciating Sao Tome and Principe's returning to the one-China principle, China hopes to push bilateral relations for healthy and stable development based on this principle. In the next stage, both sides should enhance political mutual trust, boost practical cooperation, launch people-to-people and cultural exchanges and intensify international coordination, so as to enable bilateral relations to better benefit the two peoples.

Urbino Botelho said that the resumption of diplomatic relations between both countries opens up a new chapter for bilateral relations. Sao Tome and Principe will adhere to the one-China principle and regard China as a strategic partner for its own development. It is hoped that after the resumption of diplomatic relations, the country will reinforce cooperation in various fields with China to effectively boost its domestic development. Sao Tome and Principe is also delighted to return to the big family of China-Africa cooperation again.