Xi has individual talks with leaders
President assures counterparts of Beijing’s friendship, support
Editor’s note: President Xi Jinping met with a number of African leaders on Friday ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Here are highlights of the bilateral talks.
Somalia
While meeting with Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, President Xi
Jinping emphasized that China and Somalia enjoy a long history of friendship.
Somalia was the first East African country to establish diplomatic ties with China as well as one of the sponsors supporting the resumption of China’s legitimate seat at the United Nations, Xi said.
China welcomes the progress that has been made in the peaceful reconstruction of Somalia, Xi said, adding that China will continue to support the Somali government in advancing the political process, promoting social reconciliation, improving governance as well as safeguarding sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
He also called upon the two countries to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.
The Somali president expressed his gratitude for China’s help to his country and said he admires China’s achievements in reform and opening-up. He said he hopes to learn from the country’s development experience.
Somalia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and actively participates in building the Belt and Road, he said, adding that Somalia is willing to work with China to jointly build a community with a shared future for China and Africa under the framework of the forum. Cameroon
China stands ready to assist
Cameroon in its drive for industrialization and modernization, President Xi
Jinping said when meeting with Cameroonian President Paul Biya.
China hopes to maintain high-level exchanges with Cameroon as well as the two countries’ mutual support on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, Xi said.
Within the frameworks of the joint construction of the Belt and Road and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China also hopes to strengthen cooperation with Cameroon in infrastructure construction, and it supports Cameroon’s efforts to improve its ability to maintain peace and stability, Xi said.
Biya said that Cameroon approves of the idea of a community with a shared future for mankind and the Belt and Road Initiative, and hopes to deepen cooperation with China in various fields.
The upcoming Beijing Summit of FOCAC has provided an important opportunity for joint development of African countries and China, Biya said. He added that his country hopes to work with China to promote the China Africa comprehensive strategic partnership. Niger
China is willing to expand cooperation with Niger in such areas as healthcare, infrastructure construction, energy and transportation, President Xi Jinping said when meeting with Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou.
As good friends and partners, China and Niger should maintain close contacts, enhance communication over governance and development experience, and continue to offer firm support for each other on issues involving core interests and major concerns, Xi said.
China supports West African countries’ efforts to strengthen interconnectivity and firmly supports Niger’s efforts to safeguard national safety and stability, Xi added.
Issoufou said China has made great contributions to the progress of human civilization, and the past four decades have witnessed significant economic and social development in China.
His country admires and congratulates China’s brilliant achievements under Xi’s leadership, he said.
He also said Niger is ready to deepen cooperation with China in such areas as trade and economy, energy and security, as well as maintaining close contacts and coordination in major African and global affairs. South Sudan
China will always consider it a priority to help South Sudan to realize national stability and development, President Xi Jinping said when meeting with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir.
China welcomes a comprehensive peace agreement among all political parties in South Sudan, and will support the country’s peace process as always, Xi said.
He also said China will safeguard the legitimate interests of South Sudan in multilateral forums such as the United Nations, and offer support for the South Sudan mediation mechanism in African regional organizations.
Xi said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, China and South Sudan have conducted cooperation in various areas, and China is ready to work with South Sudan to improve bilateral relations.
China is willing to strengthen cooperation with South Sudan in such areas as infrastructure and agriculture, and encourages Chinese enterprises to become more involved in the economic and social construction of South Sudan, he added.
Kiir said his country speaks highly of China’s support for countries to choose development paths that meet their own conditions regardless of their size.
South Sudan stands ready to enhance political exchanges and strengthen cooperation in areas including energy with China, and maintain close communication and coordination in regional and global affairs. Mali
While meeting with Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President Xi Jinping said that China firmly supports Mali to promote the process of peace and reconciliation as well as the fight against terrorism.
Xi said that Keita making a special trip to China despite a busy domestic political agenda demonstrates his strong support for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation and the deep friendship with the Chinese people.
The two countries are good brothers who share weal and woe, good friends who treat each other sincerely and good partners who seek common development, he said.
China will as always support Mali in safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, he said.
Xi noted that China will work with key areas of Mali’s development plan to enhance bilateral pragmatic cooperation.
China actively participates in the United Nations peacekeeping operations in Mali and will continue to support efforts by the countries in the Sahel region to maintain regional peace and security, he added.
Keita said Mali has always been committed to the deepening of bilateral ties and would like to continue strengthening cooperation with China in areas including trade, agriculture, education, health, infrastructure and security on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit.
He said Mali actively participates in the construction of the Belt and Road, and wishes the summit complete success.