Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma (L) shakes hands with China's Shanghai mayor Han Zheng during their meet in Shanghai, east China, on May 29, 2009. Ernest Bai Koroma, accompanied by Chinese ambassador to Sierra Leone Qiu Shaofang, paid a visit to Shanghai on Friday. [Photo: Xinhua/Pei Xin]

President of Sierra Leone Ernest Bai Koroma on Friday hoped to expand cooperation with Shanghai in various fields.

In his meeting with Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng, Koroma highly spoke of the rapid economic growth of China.

"We can learn from China and expand bilateral cooperation in trade, agricultural, tourism and mining sectors," he told Han.

Shanghai is speeding up its efforts to prepare for the World Expo, due to be held in 2010.

"It is the first time for a developing country to host the event," Han said, adding there is a special hall pertaining to African countries.

After hearing the introduction, Koroma said he wished the expo a great success.

Koroma also visited the Baosteel, a steel giant, the local urban planning museum and Yu Yuan, a tourist attraction.�� Koroma arrived in Beijing on Sunday for his first state visit to China since assuming presidency in September 2007.