Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng met a delegation led by Joao Bernardo Vieira, president of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau at the Hong Qiao State Guest Hotel yesterday.
Chinese and African people have maintained a long-standing friendship, and many people from Africa are now studying, working and living in Shanghai, said Mayor Han, who is also the acting Party Secretary of the city. "I believe that your visit will further enhance our friendship," Han stressed.
Joao Bernardo Vieira thanked Shanghai's citizens for their hospitality. "Shanghai is a 45-year-long old friend. The city's rapid development over the past several years has impressed me, and I believe my visit will strengthen our bilateral relationship," the president said.