The Second Conference of the Forum on Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese- speaking Countries will be held here from Sept. 24 to 25. The following is a brief introduction to Cape Verde, one of the seven Portuguese-speaking countries:

Located in the North Atlantic's Cape Verde islands, Cape Verde, which means "green cape", is a marine transportation hub of four continents of America, Africa, Europe and Asia. It also has a name of "crossroads" of all continents.

Cape Verde has a population of 469,000 and an area of 4,033 square kilometers. It came into being by volcanoes.

Cape Verde has a sea area of 730,000 square kilometers, and is very rich in marine products resources. Due to its advantageous geographical position, services and tourism are the important sectors of the country's economy.

Trade volume of Cape Verde amounts to 240 million U.S. dollars a year, with imports standing at 230 million dollars and exports 10 million dollars. Daily necessities and means of industrial production mainly rely on import.

China and Cape Verde established diplomatic relations in 1976. The two countries have signed agreements on investment protection and trade. In 2000, the Chinese government announced the cancellation or reduction of debts of Cape Verde and some other African countries. Cape Verde built a parliamentary building, a government building and a national library with Chinese assistance.

Currently, an increasing number of Chinese enterprises go to Cape Verde for investment and study tours, in such areas as agriculture, textile, tourism and electronic parts processing.

Source: Xinhua