BEIJING: President Xi Jinping underlined on Monday China’s readiness to explore cooperation with Eritrea in infrastructure development, telecommunications, agriculture, mining and fisheries as part of broader steps to promote win-win cooperation and common development.
In talks with visiting Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in Beijing, Xi reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to supporting the African nation in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests and opposing foreign interference in its internal affairs and imposition of unilateral sanctions.
China will encourage more businesses to invest in Eritrea and continue with aid programs, including sending medical teams and agricultural experts, he told Isaias, who started his state visit to China on Sunday. Before their talks, a red carpet was rolled out for the Eritrean president during a ceremony that also included a 21-gun salute and a guard of honor. Isaias’ visit to China came ahead of the 30th anniversary of the two nations’ establishment of diplomatic ties on May 24.
Xi noted that both nations have always trusted and supported each other over the past three decades, and Beijing, as a trustworthy friend of Eritrea, has always viewed and developed bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective.
In an international landscape full of instability and uncertainties, ensuring the sound growth of ties between China and Eritrea is not only in keeping with the common and long-term interests of both nations, but is also instrumental to safeguarding regional peace and international fairness and justice, he said.
Xi underscored China’s readiness to deepen the bilateral friendship, both as friends and comrades, and take the bilateral strategic partnership to a new level. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
