This file photo taken on Sept 2, 2018 shows Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) holding talks with his Angolan counterpart Joao Lourenco in Beijing, capital of China. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco will pay a state visit to China from March 14 to 17 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Tuesday.

During the visit, President Xi will hold a welcome ceremony and banquet for President Lourenco. The two heads of state will hold talks and jointly attend a signing ceremony of cooperation documents, Wang Wenbin, another Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said at a regular news briefing.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, will meet with President Lourenco respectively.

The Angolan president will also visit Shandong province, Wang said.

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Noting both countries celebrated the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2023, Wang said China expects this visit to inject new impetus into the all-round and in-depth development of bilateral relations and push for new progress in their friendly cooperation.