BEIJING: Beneath a soft Spring drizzle in Changsha, Central China’s Hunan Province, Mozambique’s President Daniel Francisco Chapo and First Lady Gueta Chapo descended the red-carpeted aircraft stairs on Thursday, greeted by Chinese personnel with a floral reception.
The week-long trip, from April 16 to 22, is the first state visit to China by a Mozambique’s head of state in 10 years, and it is also President Chapo’s first visit to China since taking office. Chapo’s visit coincides with a flurry of recent visits to China by leaders from various countries including Spain, Vietnam and UAE. During President Chapo’s visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a welcome ceremony and a welcome banquet for him. The two presidents will have talks. He will also visit Hunan and Qinghai, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press conference on Tuesday.
According to an official release from the press office of the Presidency of the Republic of Mozambique, the visit by the Mozambican head of state takes place within the framework of deepening and upgrading the existing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Mozambique and China, reflecting the shared will to consolidate longstanding ties of friendship, solidarity, and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Accompanied by members of the Assembly of the Republic, government officials, and other senior Mozambican state representatives, Chapo started his visit with the aim of strengthening political-diplomatic and economic cooperation with China, while also deepening coordination on issues of common interest on the international agenda, particularly those concerning the Global South, United Nations reform, and climate change, according to the release.
The visit by the Mozambican president showed a high level of exchanges between China and Mozambique, Liu Naiya, executive director of the South African Studies Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday.
Liu said through high-level interactions, the two sides are expected to conduct in-depth discussions on cooperation priorities and specific areas, reflecting a pragmatic, results-oriented approach. The visit itinerary, which includes not only major cities but also provinces such as Hunan and Qinghai, also demonstrates clear practical considerations.
Changsha, Chapo’s first stop, carries symbolic and practical significance. As the host city of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and home to the China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone focused on Africa cooperation, the choice reflects Mozambique’s strong interest in expanding economic ties with China, analysts said. It also highlights Hunan’s growing role as a hub for China-Africa cooperation. –The Daily Mail-Global Times news exchange item
