Chinese companies will be encouraged to participate in projects that aim to improve people’s lives in Cote d'Ivoire, and China is willing to lend its expertise in specialist areas, such as processing farm products and ensuring a safe water supply, Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday.

He made the comments when meeting with Alassane Ouattara, president of Cote d’Ivoire, in Beijing ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Bilateral relations have entered the fast track, with stronger mutual political trust and cooperation, Li said and added that China welcomes Cote d’Ivoire’s firm support for the one-China policy.

China hopes that Cote d’Ivoire will improve its business environment to achieve win-win outcomes, Li said.

China is ready to strengthen sub-regional cooperation with West Africa and would like to see a stable and developing West Africa, he said.

Ouattara said his country admires the enormous progress that China has made and will continue upholding the one-China policy.

The African country supports the Belt and Road Initiative, and is willing to learn from China’s experiences in governance, he said.

Cote d’Ivoire will enhance communication with China in international affairs, he added.