The heads of the governments of China and Niger agreed in Beijing on Tuesday to step up friendly bilateral cooperation.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with Niger's Prime Minister Seyni Oumarou in the Great Hall of the People. After the meeting, they attended the signing ceremony for a bilateral agreement on economic and technological cooperation.

During the talks, Wen said since the two countries resumed diplomatic links in 1996, they have deepened political trust, supported each other on issues concerning the other party's core interests and achieved rich results in such areas as trade, economy and culture.

Wen expressed the wish that the two countries should maintain friendly contact at various levels, strengthen communication and coordination in international affairs and expand mutually beneficial cooperation.

Oumarou said Niger is working to strengthen friendly cooperation with China. Noting that China has been a true friend and partner of Niger in the cause of building the African country's home and combating poverty, Oumarou said he hopes China will continue to support and participate in the social and economic development of Niger.

Oumarou congratulated Beijing on the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Oumarou arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a six-day visit to China. He will attend the closing ceremony of the 2008 Paralympic Games on Wednesday.

Oumarou will also visit east China provinces such as Shandong and Zhejiang, according to sources with the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Oumarou has been to China many times, but this is his first official visit since becoming prime minister in 2007.

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2008)