Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday met respectively with some African officials in Changsha, capital of central China’s Hunan Province.
Their discussions covered a range of topics, including strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing multilateral cooperation, and safeguarding the development interests of African countries.
Ninety-percent increase
During his meeting with Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who was in China to attend the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized the importance of Uganda as a major African nation and an emerging economy.
Wang pointed out the successes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) last autumn, with tangible outcomes already visible in Uganda, including a remarkable 90-percent increase in Uganda’s exports to China in the first quarter of this year.
He reiterated China’s confidence in the future of China-Uganda relations and expressed China’s willingness to deepen practical cooperation in various fields, ensuring a healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral ties.
On multilateral cooperation, Wang highlighted the ongoing strategic coordination between China and Uganda in international forums, notably their joint efforts to protect the legitimate rights and interests of African and developing countries.
“China is ready to work with Uganda and our African brothers and sisters to support the practice of multilateralism, oppose unilateral bullying and uphold the basic norms of international relations,” Wang told Nabbanja.
Prime Minister Nabbanja expressed Uganda’s gratitude for China’s long-standing support in her country’s infrastructure development and economic growth. She also highlighted the successful cooperation within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the FOCAC.
Supporting developing nations’ rights, interests
Meeting with Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Koung, who was in China to attend the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, Wang congratulated Liberia on its recent election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation, particularly in support of developing nations’ rights and interests.
Wang highlighted China’s long-standing consistency in its foreign policy, stressing China’s commitment to standing by developing countries, particularly in advocating for the principles of multilateralism, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.
The top Chinese diplomat noted the progress in political mutual trust and highlighted ongoing collaborations in infrastructure, agriculture, mining and maritime sectors. China is ready to continue to provide assistance to the best of its ability in accordance with the development needs of Liberia, Wang added.
Vice President Koung reiterated Liberia’s strong relationship with China, thanking the Chinese government for its selfless support, particularly in areas such as trade and development.
He expressed Liberia’s readiness to continue enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in maritime, green energy, healthcare and agriculture sectors.
‘Modernization is not equal to Westernization’
Wang and Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe discussed the growing partnership between China and Rwanda during their meeting.
Wang reflected on the elevation of China-Rwanda relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership during the last year’s FOCAC Beijing Summit, stressing the importance of aligning their shared goals of modernization and global cooperation.
Wang emphasized that modernization should not equate to westernization and expressed China’s willingness to deepen exchanges of governance experiences with Rwanda.
He outlined China’s commitment to helping Rwanda realize its “Vision 2050” and deepen practical cooperation in areas including infrastructure, healthcare and education.
Nduhungirehe expressed Rwanda’s continued adherence to the “one-China” principle and its strong support for China-proposed global initiatives. He highlighted the significant progress made in China-Rwanda relations, noting that Rwanda’s people had already begun to benefit from the upgraded partnership.
The two sides also exchanged views on issues of peace and security in Africa. Nduhungirehe thanked China for its active commitment to facilitating peace talks and promoting a political solution to the the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) issue. Wang said that China will continue to play a constructive role in peacefully solving the DRC issue in its own way.
