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GoG News: Chinese PM Wen Jibao in Luanda to boost oil, cooperation ties

Luanda, June 20 (Lusa) - Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jibao arrived in the Angolan capital Tuesday for a 24-hour visit aimed to bolster the increasingly close trade and investment ties between Beijing and Luanda.

While the Chinese leader's program in Luanda has not been made public, officials said he was expected to hold talks with President José Eduardo dos Santos and Prime Minister Fernando Dias dos Santos and visit major projects underway with Beijing financing.

They said Wen also would likely announce an increase in the US$2 billion line of credit provided by China last year.

Beyond that credit, China has assumed the pivotal role in Angola's post-civil war reconstruction program, financing the construction of Luanda's new airport, the rehabilitation of three key railway lines and the revamping of major roads.

Earlier this year, Angola replaced Saudi Arabia as China's main source of imported oil.

SAS/FR.

Lusa