SHANGHAI Mayor Yang Xiong met President Patrice Talon of Benin and his delegation on Friday. He briefed African guests on Shanghai's social and economic development and said China and Benin are good friends, brothers and partners in many areas.

Yang said Shanghai wants to play a bigger role in developing the China-Benin ties. The city is now bent on building itself into an international center of economy, finance, trade and shipping. Shanghai hopes to cooperate with countries like Benin for mutual benefits.

The mayor said China and Benin are complementary in terms of economy. The economic and trade ties between Shanghai and Benin have huge potentials. The Shanghai government encourages local enterprises to invest in Benin and find business models that suit Benin's conditions.