Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that strengthening solidarity and cooperation with African countries is still China’s strong strategic choice.
In a telephone conversation with the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi, Xi said China supports the DRC, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the African Union, and stands ready to work with the DRC to consolidate communication and coordination and ensure that the next meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FCSA) is a success.
Noting that the DRC is an important cooperation partner of China in Africa, Xi said the two countries enjoy a good tradition of mutual support and trust.
The Chinese side, he stressed, always considers and develops its relations with the DRC from a strategic and long-term perspective, supports the country in its efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty, security, and interests. development, and stands ready to increase political and governance exchanges with the DRC.
The DRC’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative has established a new platform and opened up new prospects for bilateral cooperation, Xi said.
The Chinese side, he added, is ready to work with the DRC to plan their cooperation for the next step and strengthen practical cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, infrastructure, health, l agriculture, and culture, so as to elevate bilateral relations to new heights.
Through the joint efforts of the two sides, the traditional friendship and mutual political trust between China and Africa have continuously deepened, their cooperation in trade, investment and other fields has maintained strong momentum and collaboration. in international affairs has increased further, said the Chinese president.
He suggested that China and Africa deepen their cooperation in areas such as building free trade zones, public health, peace and security, as well as climate change, and jointly open a new chapter of their comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership.
Xi also said China supports Africa in implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and will encourage the international community to join forces to support Africa’s development.
For his part, Mr. Tshisekedi extended his warm congratulations to the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) on the 100th anniversary of its founding, on behalf of the DRC and the AU.
The DRC and China have a deep friendship, he said, adding that his country adheres to the one-China policy and is firmly committed to developing the friendship between the DRC and China and to being an important cooperation partner of China in Africa.
The DRC is ready to intensify its exchanges with China and deepen cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, resources, and infrastructure, he said.
Mr. Tshisekedi thanked China for the medical supplies, vaccines, and other forms of assistance it has provided to African countries in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The African side hopes to strengthen its cooperation with China in areas such as combating the pandemic, resuming economic growth, protecting the environment and establishing free trade zones, and continuing progress in China-Africa relations and within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FCSA). End
