ABIDJAN, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- China and Cote d'Ivoire on Wednesday signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement under which China will provide assistance worth 2.1 billion African francs (about 4.2 million U.S. dollars) to the country.

The agreement reflects the sound relations between the two countries, Chinese Ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire Wei Wenhua said.

China highly appreciates Cote d'Ivoire's firm position on the one-China policy and is satisfied with the productive bilateral cooperation over the past several decades, he said.

China will, as always, support the economic development of Cote d'Ivoire on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, Wei said.

Youssouf Bakayoko, minister of foreign affairs of Cote d'Ivoire, thanked China for its continued support.

The new agreement will certainly help promote the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, he said.

China and Cote d'Ivoire have witnessed steady and healthy development of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1983. More than 10 cooperation agreements have been signed between the two sides, covering areas such as agriculture, trade, education and culture.