President John Dramani Mahama today held talks with Chinese President, Xi Jinping in South Africa, ahead of tomorrow's opening of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation.

Thursday's meeting afforded the two leaders an opportunity to commit themselves to strengthening the already cordial relations between the two countries and governments.

President Mahama who recalled his first meeting with President Xi five years ago, acknowledged the importance China and President Xi's personally attaches to relations with Africa. He hailed China for providing positive developmental and infrastructural support to developing countries and for its role in international affairs.

The President noted that Ghana will continue to partner China in its quest to expand bilateral cooperation in infrastructure development and other sectors. Ghana and China, he said, is marking 55 years since establishing diplomatic relations.

President Xi called for China and Ghana to deepen for mutual benefit, their cooperation. He also made a case for the two countries to continue to support each other on international issues and work to safeguard their common interests.

According to President Xi, China is ready to translate the traditional friendship into development to benefit the two countries and its people. He promised to encourage more Chinese investments in the power, telecommunications, ports, roads and aviation sectors.