ABIDJAN - China is willing to work with Cote d'Ivoire to promote bilateral ties, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Tuesday when meeting with his Ivorian counterpart Daniel Kablan Duncan.

Cote d'Ivoire is an important cooperation partner of China on the African continent, and the two nations have been supporting each other and treating each other with respect since they established diplomatic ties, the Chinese foreign minister said.

Yang said the friendly cooperative ties between China and Cote d'Ivoire have maintained a healthy and steady development, and there will be new cooperation opportunities for the two sides as the comprehensive social and economic development plan of Cote d'Ivoire goes into full swing.

The two sides should increase mutual political trust and promote multi-level friendly exchanges in broader areas, said Yang, adding that  trade and economic cooperation should also be expanded, with an eye to boosting the peaceful reconstruction in Cote d'Ivoire.

He also said China and Cote d'Ivoire should jointly push forward cultural exchanges so as to strengthen the foundation of their bilateral friendship. The two nations should engage in closer cooperation in international and regional issues with an aim to protect their common interests, he added.

For his part, Duncan welcomed the Chinese foreign minister and his delegation and thanked China for its firm support in the Ivorian reconstruction process.

Duncan said Cote d'Ivoire hopes to strengthen cooperation with China and jointly create an even better future for friendly bilateral ties and cooperation.

The two ministers also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern during their meeting.