On the afternoon of April 12, 2017, Premier Li Keqiang held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada of Sao Tome and Principe, who was in China for an official visit.

Li Keqiang expressed that the normalization of relations between China and Sao Tome and Principe conforms to the interests of Sao Tome and Principe and its people, and also complies with the general development trend of the times. China always advocates that all countries, big or small, are equal, and should respect each other's core interests and major concerns. It is hoped that Sao Tome and Principe could firmly adhere to the one-China policy. China stands ready to, on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment, enhance political mutual trust, advance practical cooperation, and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Sao Tome and Principe, so as to open up a new chapter of bilateral relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Li Keqiang stressed that China is willing to, together with Sao Tome and Principe, give play to respective comparative advantages, integrate development strategies, and well implement bilateral five-year framework agreement on cooperation. It is hoped that both sides could carry out mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as tourism, services, agriculture, fishery and infrastructure construction. China stands ready to offer assistance to Sao Tome and Principe as needed within its capacity, including providing more opportunities for studying and training in China, and sending more medical teams.

Li Keqiang pointed out that it is China's long-term and firm strategic choice to enhance unity and cooperation with African countries. China will adhere to its African policy featuring sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, and support Africa to realize long-lasting peace and sustainable development. The Chinese side is willing to continue to work together with African countries including Sao Tome and Principe, advance the construction of Africa's "Three Major Networks", strengthen cooperation under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and other frameworks, and improve Africa's ability of independent development, so as to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results between China and Africa.

Patrice Trovoada expressed that the resumption of diplomatic relations between Sao Tome and Principe and China has opened up a new chapter of bilateral relations, which will certainly push forward bilateral friendly cooperative relations. Sao Tome and Principe will firmly abide by the one-China policy, respect China's sovereignty and core concerns, and consolidate political mutual trust between the two sides. Harboring full confidence in the prospects of the development of bilateral relations, the country looks forward to sharing development experience with China, and is willing to make use of its economic advantages to well implement bilateral cooperation framework agreement with China, provide sound conditions for Chinese enterprises to invest and develop, and strengthen cooperation in tourism, fishery, infrastructure construction, personnel training and other fields, so as to push forward the development of Sao Tome and Principe as well as benefit the two peoples. The country considers China as a friend and partner, and highly appraises the Chinese government's policies toward Africa.

Prior to the talks, Li Keqiang held a welcoming ceremony for Patrice Trovoada at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Liu Xiaofeng and others attended the ceremony.

After the talks, Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada jointly witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents covering economy, technology, personnel exchanges, infrastructure, and tourism.