DAKAR -- Guinea-Bissau's President Joao Bernardo Vieira Friday said he would travel to Beijing for the closing ceremony of the Paralympics and a working visit in China, according to news reaching here from the country's capital Bissau.

It has made up for the regret that he and his family have missed the splendid opening ceremony of the Olympiad held in the same place, he said, adding that he believed the Paralympics would just be as superb as the Olympiad.

Vieira expressed his gratitude to Chinese Ambassador Yan Banghua for China's long-term aid to his country in the fields of agriculture, health and infrastructure construction.

China has played an important role in Guinea-Bissau's national construction and economic and social development, which has brought tangible benefits to the people in the country, said the president.

Vieira said he looked forward to meeting Chinese leaders and discussing with them further cooperation between the two countries.