Taipei, April 24 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) met with visiting Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga of the Solomon Islands at the Presidential Office on Monday and said she hoped to visit his country in the future to promote mutual friendship.

During the meeting, Tsai welcomed Maelanga's visit and said she looked forward to having him get a better understanding of Taiwan's current situation and development through different activities organized on the trip.

Maelanga's visit is also allowing the two sides to exchange opinions on various issues and discuss future cooperation, Tsai said.

Taiwan established diplomatic relations with the Solomon Islands in 1983. The two countries have since forged cooperation in several fields, including agricultural techniques, medical care and hygiene, talent cultivation, and environmental conservation, according to Tsai.

The last time Maelanga visited Taiwan was in 2012. Heading an 11-member delegation, he arrived in Taipei earlier Monday for a four-day visit, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(By Sophia Yeh and Elizabeth Hsu) ENDITEM/ls