BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrapped up his visit to Africa after meeting a slew of leaders of Egypt, Tunisia, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire from January 13 to 18.
Continuing the fine tradition of the Chinese foreign minister’s first overseas trip to the African continent every year for 34 years, Wang hailed the firm mutual trust and deep friendship between China and the four African countries, pledged to enhance practical cooperation, and agreed to strengthen communication and coordination with all parties, aiming to build a closer partnership that benefits all.
In today’s volatile world, Africa faces new challenges to its peaceful development and needs China’s support and Africa-China cooperation more than ever, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe told Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, during their talks on Wednesday.
The most important experience for bilateral relations to withstand the test of ups and downs and maintain stable development is to uphold mutual respect and equal treatment and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation based on that, Wang noted during talks with Tunisian President Kais Saied.
Noting that Africa is a continent full of hope and an independent pole in a multi-polar world, Wang told Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey that China supports African countries in adhering to independence, seeking unity and self-reliance, and taking Africa’s destiny into their own hands.
Commending China for upholding justice and opposing interference in Africa’s internal affairs in the international arena, Faure said the African people need a friend like China, who takes care of Africa’s realities, listens to Africa’s demands, and never imposes its will on others.
Regarding the Taiwan question, the four countries expressed their firm support for the one-China principle, and vowed to support China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“True friends support each other at critical moments,” Wang thanked Dussey for supporting the Chinese government’s stance on the Taiwan question.
China will also support the four countries in safeguarding national sovereignty and security, and explore development paths that suit their own national conditions.
This year, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will meet again, and Egypt, Tunisia, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire are all China’s cooperation partners.
Wang stressed that the FOCAC has become an important platform for promoting Africa’s development, and a banner for China-Africa unity and cooperation, leading international cooperation with Africa.
President of Cote d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara called for promoting the implementation of more results of the FOCAC in his country to better benefit the two peoples. –The Daily Mail-CGTN news exchange item
