BEIJING - President Hu Jintao said Tuesday that China wants to expand its relations with Benin during a meeting with his Beninese counterpart Thomas Boni Yayi.

President Yayi is in China to attend the 2011 Summer Davos Forum, which will open in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian on September 14.

During his meeting with Yayi, Hu said China places great importance on its relations with Benin, a West African nation that resumed official relations with China in 1972.

Hu said China is ready to work with Benin to deepen mutual trust and support regarding issues of common concern.

Hu said the two countries should advance trade and economic cooperation in a "step-by-step" fashion. He expressed willingness to expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of agriculture and infrastructure development.

Hu said China is ready to boost its relations with Benin, adding that both sides should expand cooperation in the fields of culture, education, public health and human resource development.

Hu called for stronger coordination and cooperation between the two countries on regional and international issues in order to safeguard the interests of both countries. He said that China supports Benin and other West African countries that wish to take active measures to address security issues in the Gulf of Guinea.

Hu expressed appreciation for Benin's adherence to the one-China policy and its support for China regarding the Taiwan issue.

Yayi thanked China for its long-term, selfless assistance to Benin in the areas of infrastructure construction, education, health and farming technology, adding that China has made significant contributions to the economic and social development of his country.

Yayi said Benin attaches great importance to its relations with China and is ready to lift bilateral relations to a new level.

He expressed willingness to enhance high-level contacts and deepen cooperation in the areas of trade, economics, agriculture, culture and infrastructure. He said Benin will cooperate with China on regional and international issues.