Strategic ties, cooperation lauded by Xi

Chile, Tanzania, Turkmenistan told China will always be a reliable friend

China always considers the China-Tanzania relationship from a strategic and longterm perspective. XI JINPING President

China is willing to provide a broader market and more development opportunities for Chile and other countries as it seeks reform and opening-up at a higher level, President Xi Jinping said on Dec 15 in a phone conversation with his Chilean counterpart, Sebastian Pinera.

As China fosters a new development paradigm with the domestic market as the mainstay and the domestic and international markets reinforcing each other, Xi called on the two countries to enhance the alignment of their development strategies and fully unleash the potential of an upgraded bilateral free trade agreement.

China is willing to make scientific and technological innovation and the digital economy new areas of bilateral cooperation and strengthen cooperation with Chile in COVID-19 vaccine research and use in order to provide necessary support for the country, Xi said.

He also called on the two countries to enhance communication and coordination on global issues such as sustainable development and climate change, and to jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade.

China hopes that Chile will continue to play a positive role in ChinaLatin American cooperation, Xi said.

Chile was the first continental Latin American country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The two leaders exchanged congratulatory messages on the 50th anniversary and agreed to jointly push forward the in-depth development of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

Pinera praised the strategic progress that China has made in dealing with COVID-19 and resuming economic growth.

On Dec 15, Xi also held a phone conversation with Tanzanian President John Magufuli, who won reelection in late October.

Xi said that China will always be a reliable friend and comrade of Tanzania despite the changes in the international and regional situation, as China always considers the ChinaTanzania relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective.

China supports more Chinese companies to invest in Tanzania, as well as the expansion of cooperation in areas including infrastructure construction and manufacturing, he said.

Magufuli said his country appreciates China’s firm political support before and after the Tanzanian presidential election and will firmly support China’s position on issues that concern China’s core interests.

Separately, President Xi on Dec 12 sent a message to Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov congratulating his country on the 25th anniversary of its status of permanent neutrality.

Xi noted that since it obtained that status, Turkmenistan has actively developed friendly and cooperative relations with countries around the world, and made significant contributions to safeguarding peace and stability in the region and the world at large.

A steadily developing and increasingly enriched strategic partnership between China and Turkmenistan serves the common interests of both countries, Xi pointed out.

Stressing that he attaches great importance to the bilateral relations, Xi said he stands ready to work with Berdimuhamedov to continuously advance the China-Turkmenistan strategic partnership that will better benefit the peoples of both countries.

Turkmenistan was recognized as a permanently neutral state by the United Nations in December 1995, and it is the only Asian country that has adopted the status.

The constitution of Turkmenistan states that the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan is the basis of its foreign policy, requiring the country to adhere to principles of peacefulness and noninterference in the affairs of other countries.

Turkmenistan is obliged to never become a member of any economic, political, or military alliances and blocs.

China and Turkmenistan established diplomatic relations in 1992. In September 2013, Xi paid a state visit to the country, and the two nations formed a strategic partnership.