BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday met with Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who is here for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

China is willing to work with Guinea-Bissau to carry forward the traditional friendship, promote strategic cooperation, and safeguard their respective national sovereignty, security and development interests, Xi said.

Xi expressed the hope that the two countries will actively implement the outcomes of the summit and jointly advance the modernization of China and Africa.

Embalo voiced Guinea-Bissau's high appreciation and support for the Belt and Road Initiative put forward by President Xi.

For Africa, China represents the future and is a brother, Embalo said.

He said Guinea-Bissau stands ready to be a trustworthy friend and partner of China, and expressed the hope to further deepen the friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.