BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Xi noted that the FOCAC has become an effective mechanism for advancing practical cooperation between China and Africa and a fine example of South-South cooperation.

He expressed the belief that with joint efforts from both sides, the summit will make new contributions to the modernization of African countries and the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future.

Xi emphasized that China and Sierra Leone should continue to stand firmly together on matters concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

China is ready to work with Sierra Leone to deepen cooperation in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, resources and energy, Xi said.

He said China is willing to strengthen coordination with Sierra Leone under multilateral frameworks including the United Nations, jointly safeguarding the interests of Africa and the developing world.

Bio noted remarkable progress achieved in bilateral cooperation since his last visit to China, voicing hope for closer cooperation with China in agriculture, security and other fields.

He expressed gratitude for China's support in helping Sierra Leone fulfill its duties as the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, and conveyed his willingness to enhance multilateral coordination with China on the international stage.