Since China and Nicaragua resumed their diplomatic relations towards the end of last year they have made rapid and comprehensive progress and in the process have also boosted China/Latin America relations more generally and specifically the unity and cohesion of the progressive forces.

Two events in late May served to underscore these developments.

On May 20th Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephone conversation with his Nicaraguan counterpart Denis Moncada, in which he noted that since the resumption of diplomatic relations, “we have enabled bilateral cooperation to get off to a good start at a fast pace and of a high standard.” Wang Yi further noted that “both China and Nicaragua are committed to safeguarding fairness and justice, opposing unilateralism and power politics, and supporting greater democracy in international relations.”

For his part, Moncada noted that, “Nicaragua hopes to deepen practical cooperation with China in various fields, strengthen coordination and collaboration with China in international affairs, and jointly oppose hegemonism, advance multipolarity in the world, and safeguard  world peace and security.”

This was followed on May 24th by the first joint webinar for cadres of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) of Nicaragua, with the opening ceremony addressed by Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), and Gustavo Porras Cortés, a member of the national council of the FSLN and Speaker of the National Assembly of Nicaragua.

Song Tao noted that “Sharing a profound traditional friendship, the CPC and the FSLN are the pioneers in promoting the relations between our two countries and have made active efforts in bringing China-Nicaragua relations back to the right track.”

For his part, Porras noted that “The FSLN values the friendly relations with the CPC, and hopes to strengthen exchange with the CPC, learn experience and practice of economic development and poverty alleviation from the CPC, and take a development path suitable to Nicaragua’s national condition… The Nicaraguan side is ready to work with the Chinese side to uphold multilateralism, oppose hegemony and external interference, and push for world peace and development together.”

The following reports were first published on the websites of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the IDCPC.

Wang Yi Speaks with Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada on the Phone

On May 20, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada.

Wang Yi said, since the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nicaragua six months ago, we have enabled bilateral cooperation to get off to  a good start at a fast pace and of a high standard. This fully demonstrates  that the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nicaragua  follows the general trend of history and the times, and serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples. China regards  Nicaragua as a reliable and important partner, firmly supports its  sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and respects the development path it has independently chosen. Nicaragua adheres to the one-China  principle, opposes any form of “Taiwan independence” and firmly supports China’s position on issues concerning China’s core interests. China appreciates that.

Wang Yi said, China is ready to work with Nicaragua to seek greater synergy between the two countries’ development strategies within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to turn the complementary advantages into cooperation momentum. China firmly supports Nicaragua’s economic and social  development and will continue to provide assistance to Nicaragua in its fight   against the COVID-19 pandemic. China expects the two sides to speed up the  negotiation and conclusion of an “early harvest” arrangement of a  bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), and on this basis, launch the  negotiation on the FTA. China encourages enterprises with strength and good   reputation to take an active part in Nicaragua’s economic development, and  stands ready to work with Nicaragua to push forward cooperation in culture,  education and other fields. China supports establishing Confucius Institutes  in Nicaraguan universities and boosting sub-national exchanges, so as to  constantly cement public support and the social foundation for the amicable relations between the two countries.

Wang  Yi said, both China and Nicaragua are committed to safeguarding fairness and justice, opposing unilateralism and power politics, and supporting greater  democracy in international relations. China is ready to strengthen communication and collaboration with Nicaragua in international affairs, jointly hold high the banner of multilateralism, promote international  solidarity and cooperation, implement in earnest the Global Development  Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and promote the  building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Moncada  said, there is but one China in the world and Nicaragua will continue to  unswervingly adhere to the one-China principle. Since the resumption of  diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have witnessed rapid and high-quality development. Nicaragua thanks China for providing enormous help for Nicaragua’s pandemic response and economic and social development. Nicaragua  highly recognizes a series of international initiatives put forward by China  and stands ready to support and join the GDI and the GSI. Nicaragua hopes to deepen practical cooperation with China in various fields, strengthen  coordination and collaboration with China in international affairs, and  jointly oppose hegemonism, advance multipolarity in the world, and safeguard  world peace and security.

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CPC and FSLN Holds a Webinar for Cadres

The Communist Party of China (CPC) and Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) of Nicaragua held here today the first webinar for cadres of the two Parties themed on “giving play to the role of exchange between political parties and advancing China-Nicaragua relations”. Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), and Gustavo Porras Cortés, a member of the national council of the FSLN and Speaker of the National Assembly of Nicaragua, attended and addressed the opening ceremony.

Song said, since China and Nicaragua resumed diplomatic relations late last year, the two countries have enjoyed robust development in bilateral relations, constantly enhanced political mutual trust and advanced practical cooperation, which fully demonstrated that the resumption of diplomatic relations is a correct decision in line with the trend of history and the world, and benefits the two countries and peoples. Sharing a profound traditional friendship, the CPC and the FSLN are the pioneers in promoting the relations between our two countries, and have made active efforts in bringing China-Nicaragua relations back to the right track. Standing at a new starting point in history, the CPC is willing to work with the FSLN to deepen experience exchange in state governance and administration in such issues as party building, economic and social development and poverty alleviation, promote cooperation in economy, trade, agriculture and the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and cooperation at local level. The Chinese side appreciates the Nicaraguan side’s commitment to the one-China principle, and its firm support for the Chinese side in issues concerning China’s core interests. The Chinese side is willing to, together with the Nicaraguan side, strengthen coordination in the international community, well implement the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, jointly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Song emphatically introduced the major achievements and historical experience of the Party over the past century. He said, since the founding of the CPC one hundred years ago, particularly the 18th CPC National Congress, China has made historic achievements and seen historic changes in its economic and social development under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core. China has always adhered to CPC’s leadership, a people-centered development philosophy, and followed a path suitable to its national conditions. While seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, the CPC is also seeking progress for mankind and the common good for the world. The CPC always stands ready to work with political parties of all countries to stand on the right side of history and the progressive side of mankind, and build a better world.

Porras said, since the resumption of diplomatic relations between Nicaragua and China, the two countries have, on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful coexistence, solidarity and mutual assistance, comprehensively reinforced cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, culture, sport, and the joint building of the BRI. Bilateral relations have enjoyed rapid development. The FSLN values the friendly relations with the CPC, and hopes to strengthen exchange with the CPC, learn experience and practice of economic development and poverty alleviation from the CPC, and take a development path suitable to Nicaragua’s national condition. The Nicaraguan side firmly follows the one-China principle, welcomes and hopes to actively participate in the BRI, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping, believing these important proposals provide important solutions for boosting world economy, safeguarding regional peace and coping with global challenges. The Nicaraguan side is ready to work with the Chinese side to uphold multilateralism, oppose hegemony and external interference, and push for world peace and development together.