Mauritania, one of Africa’s poorest countries and newest oil producers, looks forward to developing its economic relations and partnership with China, a major world economic power, The North Africa Post reported.

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz headed this week to China to explore the potentials of Mauritanian-Chinese partnership and identify the sectors where the countries can do better.

In Beijing, Mr. Ould Abdel Aziz met his Chinese peer Xi Jinping and discussed ways of enhancing cooperation between the two countries. The two Heads of state also reviewed latest developments in Africa and other international issues of common interests.

According to press reports, Mr. Xi Jinping expressed willingness to deepen cooperation with Mauritania in infrastructure construction, mining, fisheries, agriculture, hydro-power and clean energy.

Mauritanian President also meet Premier Li Keying, who expressed that China and Mauritania enjoy a profound traditional friendship.

President Xi Jinping added China will work with Mauritania to consolidate mutual trust and deepen cooperation from a new starting point of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations thus inject new impetus into the development of bilateral relations, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.