Chinese Vice-Premire Li Keqiang shakes hands with Chad's visiting Foreign Minister Moussa Faki Mahamat in Beijing, Oct 13, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Vice-Premier Li Keqiang met Thursday with Chad's visiting Foreign Minister Moussa Faki Mahamat, and the two sides vowed further cooperation.

Li said that since the two countries resumed diplomatic ties five years ago, the two have seen sound development of the relationship, which features increasing mutual political trust, people-to-people exchanges and fruitful cooperation in areas such as energy and infrastructure.

China and Chad established formal diplomatic links in 1972, but China severed diplomatic relations with Chad in 1997 when the country resumed diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

The two countries restored diplomatic relations in 2006.

China will make concerted efforts with Chad to continue to tap the potential of bilateral cooperation in order to achieve more benefits for the two peoples, Li said.

Enhancing friendly cooperation with Africa is not only the backbone of Chinese foreign policy, but also a long-term and firm strategic choice, Li said, adding that China will work with African countries to push forward Sino-African ties.

Faki expressed his appreciation of China's assistance in Chad's economic and social development, and hailed China's contributions for African countries in promoting development and achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Chad is willing to reinforce mutual political trust, high-level contacts, pragmatic cooperation and people-to-people friendship with China, while staying committed to developing a long-term bilateral partnership of strategic cooperation, Faki said.

Earlier Thursday, Faki held talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.

Faki will conclude his four-day visit on October 15.