Chadian Minister of External Relations Ahmad Allam-Mi will pay an official visit to China from April 18-20, the first China trip of a Chadian foreign minister since the two countries resumed diplomatic ties last August.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the announcement at a regular press briefing Thursday.

Allam-Mi is invited by his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing. During his stay, the two foreign ministers will hold talks and exchange views on bilateral ties and other issues of common concern, Qin said.

Allam-Mi will also attend a ceremony marking the resumption of Chadian embassy in Beijing.

Since the two countries resumed diplomatic ties last August, bilateral exchanges had seen steady increase, Qin said, adding bilateral trade volume also witnessed remarkable growth.

"We are willing to exchange opinions with the Chadian side on developing bilateral relations and other issues of common concern during Allam-Mi's visit," the spokesman said.

China and Chad established formal diplomatic links in 1972 but China severed diplomatic relations with Chad in 1997 when the country "resumed" diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

On Aug. 6 last year, Li Zhaoxing and Allam-mi signed a joint communique to resume diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Source: Xinhua