Jorge Bom Jesus, Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe, addresses a reception for the upcoming Chinese Spring Festival in Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe, Jan. 28, 2019. (Xinhua/Leo Pedro)

SAO TOME, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Sao Tome and Principe will do its best to attract more Chinese investment, Prime Minister Jorge Bom Jesus has said.

Speaking to the local Chinese community on Monday on celebrations of the Chinese New Year, the prime minister said he expects cooperation with China to "continue to grow stronger."

"The new government is going to do its best, particularly in external politics, to attract more and more Chinese investments to Sao Tome and Principe. So we can live better days in a perspective of a common vision for the happiness and well-being of the peoples from both countries," said the prime minister.

Accompanied by the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Commerce and Industry, the PM said they were here to witness the presence of the Chinese community together with the people of Sao Tome and to reinforce friendship and cooperation ties between the two nations.

For his part, Chinese Ambassador Wang Wei said that "the cooperation is growing stronger and more Chinese businessmen are willing and expressed interest to invest in the country."

"2019 is the year of pig in Chinese zodiac, which according to our culture, means fortune and wealth. So I wish all of us to make much fortune, and a lot of progress in the coming year," the ambassador said.