Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 31, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Xi said the Sino-Malian friendship was established by older generation leaders of the two countries and that the fate of the people of the two countries has been closely linked during the process of striving for independence and promoting social and economic development.

Xi said China and Mali are good brothers sharing weal and woe, sincere friends and good partners in seeking common development. China will enhance practical cooperation with Mali in key areas of the country's development plan.

China will as always firmly support Mali's efforts to safeguard sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and firmly support Mali's efforts to promote the peace and reconciliation process, and to combat terrorism, Xi said.

China has actively participated in UN's peacekeeping missions in Mali and will continue to support the efforts of countries in the Sahel region to safeguard regional peace and security, Xi said.

Calling China Mali's "old friend," Keita said the two peoples have developed deep mutual trust and Mali has remained committed to deepening Mali-China friendship.

Keita expressed his country's gratitude for China's long-time support, and the hope that two countries could enhance cooperation in areas such as trade, agriculture, education, health, infrastructure and security.

Mali appreciates and has actively taken part in the Belt and Road construction, Keita added, hoping the upcoming 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation a great success.

After the meeting, the two presidents witnessed the signing of agreements on bilateral cooperation.