Xi, leaders talk before expo

Editor’s note: President Xi Jinping met on Sunday with foreign leaders who are guests at the China International Import Expo, being held in Shanghai from Monday to Saturday.

Uhuru Kenyatta

In his meeting with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, President Xi Jinping said China would like to increase its imports from Kenya and help the African country to improve the competitiveness of its products.

Xi recalled his meeting with Kenyatta at the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation in September, when the two leaders reached a consensus on promutual moting the development of Sino-Kenyan relations.

The two countries should take opportunities of jointly building the Belt and Road to make greater progress in their bilateral ties, Xi said.

They should maintain highlevel exchanges, expand cooperation in all areas and enhance learning in experience of governance, Xi said.

China would like to advance feasibility research in projects, such as railway construction, that are in Kenya’s interest, Xi said, adding that China hopes Kenya will provide a good environment for Chinese companies investing in it.

Kenya appreciates China’s innovative practice of holding such an expo to increase imports, Kenyatta said.

“We look forward to participating in this exciting event, and we will also seize the opportunity to further strengthen our trade ties,” Kenyatta said.

The Kenyan president spoke highly of the Belt and Road Initiative, put forward by Xi, saying that the initiative is a great contribution made by China that advances world peace and common development.

The China International Import Expo, like the BRI, marks another important step toward achieving a win-win economic model, Kenyatta said.

Nguyen Xuan Phuc

President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts from China and Vietnam to maintain maritime peace and stability and push forward maritime cooperation in a stable way, when meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation, Xi said, and both countries are at a crucial stage of reform and development.

China and Vietnam should bear in mind the fundamental interests of their people and seize the momentum to continue opening up new prospects for bilateral ties and achieve common progress, he said.

Xi called for both sides to keep the tradition of close contact between their ruling parties and governments and accelerate the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with Vietnam’s development strategy and set the priorities for cooperation as soon as possible.

China is willing to encourage more Chinese companies to participate in cooperation involving major projects in Vietnam and import more marketable products from Vietnam, he said.

Xi said cooperation between the two countries should put more focus on areas that relate to people’s livelihoods and continue to promote the friendship of the two countries’ people, especially among the younger generation.

Phuc said his country is willing to appropriately deal with maritime issues according to the important consensus and principles reached by the two countries’ leaders.

China’s hosting of the expo shows its determination to continue to expand openingup and uphold free trade, he said, and Vietnam is willing to seize the opportunity and expand exports to China.

Thongloun Sisoulith

President Xi Jinping urged joint efforts to continue to push forward the construction of the China-Laos economic corridor and China-Laos railway in his meeting with Laotian Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.

Xi welcomed Thongloun’s attendance at the expo, saying the China-Laos relationship is now better than ever.

Xi said the two countries should implement the results of reciprocal visits between him and his Laotian counterpart Bounnhang Vorachith, which set the direction for the development of bilateral ties.

Xi noted the importance for both countries of maintaining close strategic communication and strengthening exchanges of experience on party-building and state governance.

The two countries should upgrade their practical cooperation and build that cooperation in such areas as people’s livelihoods and disaster relief.

He also called for China and Laos to jointly push forward Lancang-Mekong cooperation.

Thongloun said Xi’s successful visit to Laos last November significantly advanced bilateral relations between the two countries’ ruling parties and governments and the agreements and projects decided during the visit, such as the China-Laos railway, are being steadily implemented.

Laos is benefitting from the joint construction of the Belt and Road, he said and expressed thanks for China’s support and assistance.

Thongloun said Laos is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by two countries’ leaders.