Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday held meetings with several African dignitaries who are in China for the opening ceremony of the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, as well as the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Changsha, the capital of central China’s Hunan Province.
The African dignitaries Wang met with include Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Mozambican Foreign Minister Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas, and Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey.
In his meeting with the Somali foreign minister, Wang said that the heads of state of China and Somalia had elevated bilateral relations to a strategic partnership during the FOCAC Beijing Summit held last year. He noted that China is willing to work with Somalia to implement the summit’s outcomes, deliver more tangible benefits to the Somali people, and assist Somalia in restoring peace and stability and accelerating its reconstruction and development.
Ali thanked China for its strong support during Somalia’s most difficult times, noting that China holds a highly important position in the hearts of the Somali people, and that Somalia greatly appreciates and is willing to actively participate in the series of global initiatives proposed by China.
When meeting with Maria Manuela Lucas, Wang said that China is willing to deepen its comprehensive strategic partnership with Mozambique, and is ready to assist the country in accelerating its industrialization and modernization processes. He expressed appreciation for Mozambique’s adherence to the one-China principle.
She said that Mozambique appreciates China’s new measures to support African development, as well as China’s countermeasures against the imposition of unilateral tariffs.
When meeting with Dussey, Wang congratulated Togo on its smooth transition of its political system, expressing support for Togo in actively exploring a governance path that suits its national conditions. He added that China is willing to support Togo in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and national dignity.
Dussey said the series of global initiatives proposed by China uphold the spirit of solidarity and cooperation, and have made vital contributions to promoting world stability and prosperity.
(With input from Xinhua)
