On October 19, Chinese President Xi Jinping held ten high-level bilateral meetings in the margins of the third Belt and Road International Cooperation Forum (BRF).
In the morning, he met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan.
In the afternoon, he met with Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin and President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou-N’Guesso. And in the evening, he met with Prime Minister of Mozambique Adriano Afonso Maleiane, Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, and the former President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, who is now the President of the New Development Bank (NDB).
Meeting Prime Minister Hun Manet, Xi Jinping pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 65 years ago, China and Cambodia have respected, trusted, and supported each other and contributed to each other’s success, setting a fine example of equal treatment and win-win cooperation between countries different in size. Both China and Cambodia are countries that value friendship, and the China-Cambodia ironclad friendship is unbreakable.
He stressed that the Belt and Road cooperation has brought tangible development opportunities to Cambodia. China is ready to uphold the principle of “planning together, building together, and benefiting together”, enhance synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy, flesh out the China-Cambodia “diamond hexagon” cooperation framework at a faster pace, build well the “Industrial Development Corridor” and the “Fish and Rice Corridor”, and push for the implementation of more projects that benefit the people. China supports Cambodia’s projects such as airport construction and cultural relic restoration, welcomes more Cambodian agricultural products to the Chinese market, and encourages more Chinese tourists to visit Cambodia.
Hun Manet thanked China for its valuable support to Cambodia over the years and stressed that his country steadfastly pursues a friendly policy toward China and firmly supports China’s core interests. Cambodia is ready to take the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China as an opportunity to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China, advance cooperation on the “Industrial Development Corridor” and the “Fish and Rice Corridor” and build a Cambodia-China community with a shared future.
In his meeting with the Egyptian Prime Minister, Xi Jinping pointed out that Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. China and Egypt are good friends with common purposes and mutual trust and good partners for joint development and common prosperity.
He congratulated Egypt on joining the BRICS cooperation mechanism upon invitation, and pointed out that China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Egypt within the China-Arab and China-Africa frameworks, enhance coordination and cooperation at the United Nations, BRICS and other multilateral platforms, uphold true multilateralism and international fairness and justice, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries, so as to inject more certainty and stability into the region and the world.
Mostafa Madbouly said that Egypt sees China as a role model for emerging economies and developing countries. He expressed gratitude for China’s long-term, valuable support to Egypt, and noted that the Belt and Road cooperation has greatly improved Egypt’s transportation and logistics capabilities and given a strong boost to its economic development. Madbouly thanked China for supporting Egypt’s accession to the BRICS cooperation mechanism and expressed his readiness to work closely with China in multilateral cooperation to make the international landscape more balanced and just.
President Xi stated China’s principled position on the current Palestinian-Israeli situation. He stressed that the top priority is to stop the fighting as soon as possible, prevent the conflict from spreading or even getting out of control and causing a severe humanitarian crisis. The fundamental way out of the recurring Palestinian-Israeli conflicts is to implement the two-state solution, establish an independent State of Palestine and achieve peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel.
Meeting his Sri Lankan counterpart, Xi Jinping pointed out that the Chinese and Sri Lankan people have enjoyed a time-honoured friendship marked by mutual learning and mutual help, and have been partners for self-reliant development. He emphasised that China firmly supports Sri Lanka in upholding strategic autonomy, and safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, and dignity. China will continue to provide assistance to Sri Lanka with no political strings attached and help the country cope with difficulties affecting social life and people’s livelihood and is happy to see Sri Lanka become a commercial centre of the Indian Ocean. The two sides should step up coordination in international and regional affairs, oppose politicisation of human rights issues and bloc confrontation, and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and fellow developing countries.
Wickremesinghe said that the development of the Belt and Road, especially the Maritime Silk Road, has greatly facilitated Sri Lanka’s economic and social development and is conducive to enhancing Sri Lanka’s unique influence in the region. Sri Lanka hopes to work more closely with China in the future, as China can be an important partner in Sri Lanka’s modernisation. Sri Lanka believes that the Indian Ocean should embrace openness and is ready to strengthen communication with China on regional affairs and support the solidarity and cooperation among developing countries.
At his meeting with the President of Mongolia, Xi Jinping noted that China is ready to work with Mongolia to respect each other’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, support each other in safeguarding respective core interests, and build a solid foundation for the China-Mongolia community with a shared future. China will continue to help Mongolia revitalise its economy, move ahead with the construction of relevant border ports in an orderly manner, and open up new channels for connectivity between the two countries. The China-Mongolia Desertification Prevention and Control Cooperation Centre has been established. China will continue to support Mongolia’s “Planting One Billion Trees” plan and join hands with Mongolia in carrying out ecological conservation. China would also like to expand trilateral cooperation with Mongolia and Russia, and steadily advance the building of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor.
President Khurelsukh noted that the outcomes of the current BRF will contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and inject new momentum into global economic growth. Mongolia takes developing relations with China as a key priority in its foreign policy. Next year will mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and China. It will also mark the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Mongolia and the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Mongolia is ready to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, respect and support each other and promote cooperation in such areas as trade and economy, connectivity, mining and energy, desertification prevention and control, and green development, as well as enhancing people-to-people exchanges. Mongolia also places a high premium on the Mongolia-China-Russia cooperation and is ready to closely communicate and collaborate with China in multilateral fields.
Meeting with the leader of Turkmenistan, Xi Jinping pointed out that China is a trustworthy friend and partner of the central Asian country. In January this year, he and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov jointly announced the elevation of their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership and the establishment of a community with a shared future at the bilateral level, opening a new chapter in the development of China-Turkmenistan relations. Developing a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Turkmenistan meets the fundamental interests of both countries and the common aspirations of the two peoples.
China appreciates Turkmenistan’s strong support on issues concerning China’s core interests and major concerns, and will continue to support Turkmenistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests and in pursuing a development path that suits its national conditions.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the ancient Silk Road has connected the people of Turkmenistan and China and contributed to the progress of world civilisation. Today, close synergy has been forged between Turkmenistan’s strategy of reviving the Great Silk Road and the Belt and Road Initiative, which has greatly facilitated the connectivity, development, and revitalisation of both countries as well as countries in the region.
In his meeting with Srettha Thavisin, Xi Jinping noted that the recently appointed Thai Prime Minister had made China the destination of his first official visit outside ASEAN (the Association of South East Asian Nations), fully demonstrating the great importance the new Thai government attaches to Thailand-China relations. China and Thailand are close neighbours, and their friendship has taken deep roots in the hearts of the two peoples. Xi said he is happy to see that the outcomes of his visit to Thailand last November are being actively and effectively implemented.
Srettha Thavisin said he sincerely admires President Xi Jinping’s vision and China’s achievements in poverty reduction and would like to learn from China’s governance experience. He expressed his hope that the two sides will deepen practical cooperation in various fields, jointly build the Thailand-China Railway, and advance the implementation of the China-Laos-Thailand Connectivity Development Corridor Outlook.
Meeting with President of the Republic of Congo (ROC) Denis Sassou-N’Guesso, Xi Jinping said that the successful implementation of such projects as the No.1 National Highway in the ROC, is exemplary. China and the ROC are true friends and good partners.
Reflecting the long-standing orientation of the Republic of Congo regarding its close relations with China and other socialist countries, Xi Jinping emphasised that shared ideals, mutual trust and mutual support are the key to the sustained and steady growth of China-ROC relations. China appreciates the resolute support given by the ROC on issues related to China’s core interests and major concerns. China supports the ROC in safeguarding national independence, opposing foreign interference, and adhering to a development path that suits its national conditions, and supports the ROC in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs. China also stands ready to coordinate closely with the ROC in multilateral arena to promote the building of a fairer and more equitable international order.
Sassou-N’Guesso said that his country is ready to take the opportunity of celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China next year to further develop bilateral relations. The ROC firmly adheres to the one-China policy and looks forward to continuing mutual support with China, strengthening pragmatic cooperation in infrastructure, green energy, and other fields, and enhancing communication and collaboration within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Similar sentiments animated President Xi’s meeting with the Prime Minister of Mozambique, Adriano Afonso Maleiane. Reflecting the fact that China’s relationship with Mozambique dates to its staunch support for the southern African country’s national liberation struggle, Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Mozambique are true friends and true brothers standing together in adversity and helping each other in difficulty. China is ready to work with Mozambique and other African countries to build the Belt and Road to high standard, and promote the implementation of three cooperative measures, namely, the Initiative on Supporting Africa’s Industrialisation, the Plan for China Supporting Africa’s Agricultural Modernisation, and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development.
Xi Jinping further emphasised that China is ready to work with Mozambique to further deepen traditional friendship, strengthen strategic coordination, and promote new progress in the China-Mozambique comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. China supports Mozambique in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and following a development path suited to its own national conditions. The two sides need to deepen cooperation in such fields as energy and agriculture, and promote educational, cultural, sub-national and non-governmental exchanges.
Maleiane remarked that the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and other important initiatives are conducive to helping other countries eliminate poverty, grow the economy, and improve the people’s livelihood. China’s development and foreign policies are based on peace, equality, respect, and friendship, and are positive energy for world peace and development. Maleiane noted that China has always given Mozambique firm support as a true friend, whether during Mozambique’s struggle for national independence or the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Mozambique is firmly committed to the one-China policy and hopes to learn from China’s experience in modernisation to find a better way to realise its own development, and deepen practical cooperation with China across the board to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Meeting Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and ironclad friends. Successive Pakistani governments have actively supported and participated in Belt and Road cooperation. Over the past decade, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has achieved fruitful results, giving a strong boost to Pakistan’s economic and social development, and becoming an important signature project of Belt and Road cooperation. He said that the two sides should take the 10th anniversary of the CPEC this year as an opportunity to build an “upgraded version” of the corridor featuring growth, livelihood, innovation, greenness and openness, strengthen cooperation in areas like industrial park, agriculture, mining and new energy, and promote the early implementation of major connectivity projects and the achievement of practical results.
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said that the successful practice of Chinese modernisation has set an example and provided impetus for other developing countries. China’s efforts to build a human community with a shared future have brought confidence and hope to other countries. Pakistan will always be a trustworthy and reliable friend of China, will never allow any force to undermine the friendship between Pakistan and China, and will remain committed to deepening the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China. Pakistan is ready to work closely with China to promote the high-quality development of the CPEC. The Pakistani government will make every effort to protect the safety and interests of Chinese citizens and institutions in Pakistan.
Meeting with Dilma Rousseff, Xi Jinping recalled the birth of the New Development Bank which he and President Rousseff jointly witnessed in 2014 in Brazil. He pointed out that the bank has made remarkable achievements and grown from strength to strength in recent years. He noted that the world today is facing intertwined risks and crises. As an important emerging force in the international financial system, the New Development Bank should play its due role, and build itself into a new-type multilateral development institution in the 21st century that works to make the international financial system fairer and more equitable and effectively enhance the representation and say of emerging markets and developing countries.
Dilma Rousseff said that under the current international circumstances, all countries in the world need to take concerted actions to respond to common challenges. Strengthening infrastructure development and connectivity is of crucial importance for developing countries to realise common development. No other initiatives in human history have ever brought more than 150 countries together like the BRI does. She thanked the Chinese government for greatly supporting the New Development Bank’s work, noting that bank has a shared purpose and ideals with the BRI, and is ready to actively participate in the Belt and Road cooperation and make due contributions to a multi-polar world and the reform of the international financial system.
The following reports were originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Xi Jinping Meets with Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Manet
On the morning of October 19, 2023, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Manet who is in China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).
Xi Jinping pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 65 years ago, China and Cambodia have respected, trusted and supported each other and contributed to each other’s success, setting a fine example of equal treatment and win-win cooperation between countries different in size. Both China and Cambodia are countries that value friendship, and the China-Cambodia ironclad friendship is unbreakable. The two sides need to visit each other frequently, maintain high-level strategic communication, make good use of the Intergovernmental Coordination Committee mechanism, and implement the action plan for building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era, to bring the two countries even closer.
Xi Jinping stressed that the Belt and Road cooperation has brought tangible development opportunities to Cambodia. China is ready to uphold the principle of “planning together, building together, and benefiting together”, enhance synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy, flesh out the China-Cambodia “diamond hexagon” cooperation framework at a faster pace, build well the “Industrial Development Corridor” and the “Fish and Rice Corridor”, and push for the implementation of more projects that benefit the people. China supports Cambodia’s projects such as airport construction and cultural relic restoration, welcomes more Cambodian agricultural products to the Chinese market, and encourages more Chinese tourists to visit Cambodia. Xi Jinping expressed his readiness to declare together with Hun Manet the year 2024 the China-Cambodia Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
Hun Manet said he listened attentively to President Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the third BRF on Wednesday, and believes that the speech demonstrates President Xi’s strategic vision, and has proposed major practical measures that will surely lead to greater success in Belt and Road cooperation. The Cambodian side applauds this and wishes to offer warm congratulations. He thanked China for its valuable support to Cambodia over the years, and stressed that Cambodia steadfastly pursues a friendly policy toward China and firmly supports China’s core interests. Cambodia is ready to take the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China as an opportunity to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China, advance cooperation on the “Industrial Development Corridor” and the “Fish and Rice Corridor”, and build a Cambodia-China community with a shared future. More Chinese tourists are welcome to visit Cambodia. Cambodia actively supports the series of important initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping, and believe that they have provided important opportunities and platforms for world peace and development.
Cai Qi and Wang Yi were present at the meeting.
Xi Jinping Meets with Prime Minister of Egypt Mostafa Madbouly
On the morning of October 19, 2023, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister of Egypt Mostafa Madbouly who is in China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).
Xi Jinping pointed out that Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. China and Egypt are good friends with common purposes and mutual trust and good partners for joint development and common prosperity. Over the past decade, China and Egypt have carried out fruitful cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. China supports Egypt in following a development path suited to its national conditions. China is ready to deepen synergy of development strategies with Egypt, encourage capable Chinese companies to invest and do business in Egypt, and welcome more high-quality Egyptian products to enter the Chinese market. China will work with Egypt to follow through on the outcomes of the third BRF, strengthen cooperation in such fields as infrastructure, agricultural technology and renewable energy, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and continuously advance the development of China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership.
Xi Jinping congratulated Egypt on joining the BRICS cooperation mechanism upon invitation, and pointed out that China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Egypt within the China-Arab and China-Africa frameworks, enhance coordination and cooperation at the United Nations, BRICS and other multilateral platforms, uphold true multilateralism and international fairness and justice, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries, so as to inject more certainty and stability into the region and the world.
Mostafa Madbouly congratulated China on successfully hosting the third BRF. Egypt sees China as a role model for emerging economies and developing countries. He expressed gratitude for China’s long-term, valuable support to Egypt, and noted that the Belt and Road cooperation has greatly improved Egypt’s transportation and logistics capabilities and given a strong boost to its economic development. Egypt looks forward to greater development of Egypt-China relations in all fields, will continue to actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation, and expects more Chinese companies to invest and do business in Egypt. He said Egypt is ready to provide policy support and security guarantee to this end. Madbouly thanked China for supporting Egypt’s accession to the BRICS cooperation mechanism, and expressed his readiness to work closely with China in multilateral cooperation to make the international landscape more balanced and just.
President Xi stated China’s principled position on the current Palestinian-Israeli situation. He stressed that the top priority is to stop the fighting as soon as possible, prevent the conflict from spreading or even getting out of control and causing a severe humanitarian crisis. The fundamental way out of the recurring Palestinian-Israeli conflicts is to implement the two-state solution, establish an independent State of Palestine and achieve peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel. China commends Egypt’s important role in helping cool down the situation, supports Egypt’s efforts to open a humanitarian corridor, and stands ready to strengthen coordination with Egypt and other Arab countries to work for a comprehensive, just and enduring solution to the Palestinian question at an early date. Madbouly said that Egypt and other Arab countries highly appreciate China’s consistent and just position on the Palestinian question and expect China to play a bigger role in solving the current crisis.
Cai Qi and Wang Yi were present at the meeting.
Xi Jinping Meets with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe
On the morning of October 20, 2023, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe who is in China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).
Xi Jinping pointed out that the Chinese and Sri Lankan people have enjoyed a time-honored friendship marked by mutual learning and mutual help, and have been partners for self-reliant development. Sri Lanka was one of the first countries that welcomed and joined the Belt and Road Initiative. China values its relations with Sri Lanka, and is ready to work with Sri Lanka to consolidate political mutual trust, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and promote new and steady progress in the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship, so as to bring greater benefits to the two peoples.
Xi Jinping emphasized that China firmly supports Sri Lanka in upholding strategic autonomy, and safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and dignity. China is ready to expand import of signature Sri Lankan products, and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Sri Lanka to help the country realize economic transformation and upgrading and sustainable development. China hopes that Sri Lanka will provide an open and transparent business environment for Chinese enterprises. China will continue to provide assistance to Sri Lanka with no political strings attached, and help the country cope with difficulties affecting social life and people’s livelihood. The two sides should make every effort to push forward the Colombo Port City and Hambantota comprehensive development project, making them flagship projects of China-Sri Lanka Belt and Road cooperation. China is happy to see Sri Lanka become a commercial center of the Indian Ocean. The two sides should step up coordination in international and regional affairs, oppose politicization of human rights issues and bloc confrontation, and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and fellow developing countries.
Wickremesinghe congratulated China on successfully hosting the third BRF. Sri Lanka has attached great importance to and actively participated in the Belt and Road cooperation, and is optimistic about its potential and prospects. The development of the Belt and Road, especially the Maritime Silk Road, has greatly facilitated Sri Lanka’s economic and social development and is conducive to enhancing Sri Lanka’s unique influence in the region. Sri Lanka hopes to work more closely with China in the future, as China can be an important partner in Sri Lanka’s modernization. Sri Lanka firmly adheres to the one-China policy and hopes to learn from China’s experience in development. Sri Lanka welcomes Chinese enterprises’ investment in the country, and is ready to provide them with an enabling business environment. Sri Lanka believes that the Indian Ocean should embrace openness, and is ready to strengthen communication with China on regional affairs and support the solidarity and cooperation among developing countries.
Cai Qi and Wang Yi attended the meeting.
Xi Jinping Meets with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh
On the morning of October 19, 2023, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh who is in China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
Xi Jinping pointed out that Mongolia is a natural partner in jointly building the Belt and Road and is one of the first countries to voice support for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Over the past decade, the two sides have fostered greater synergy between their development strategies and achieved encouraging results in cooperation in such areas as trade and investment, connectivity and projects for people’s well-being. There is broad room for cooperation between the two sides in implementing the BRI and Mongolia’s “Steppe Road Program” development strategy. Xi expressed the hope that Mongolia will play a greater role in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation by leveraging its geographic advantage as a country linking Europe and Asia.
Xi Jinping noted that China is ready to work with Mongolia to respect each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, support each other in safeguarding respective core interests, and build a solid foundation for the China-Mongolia community with a shared future. China will continue to help Mongolia revitalize its economy, move ahead with the construction of relevant border ports in an orderly manner, and open up new channels for connectivity between the two countries. The China-Mongolia Desertification Prevention and Control Cooperation Center has been established. China will continue to support Mongolia’s “Planting One Billion Trees” plan, and join hands with Mongolia in carrying out ecological conservation. China would also like to expand trilateral cooperation with Mongolia and Russia, and steadily advance the building of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor.
Khurelsukh congratulated China on the successful holding of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, noting that the outcomes of this forum will contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and inject new momentum into global economic growth. Mongolia takes developing relations with China as a key priority in its foreign policy. Next year will mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and China. It will also mark the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Mongolia and the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Mongolia is ready to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, respect and support each other and promote cooperation in such areas as trade and economy, connectivity, mining and energy, desertification prevention and control, green development as well as enhancing people-to-people exchanges. Mongolia highly appreciates China’s important role in maintaining world peace and stability, and supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. Mongolia places a high premium on the Mongolia-China-Russia cooperation and is ready to closely communicate and collaborate with China in multilateral fields.
The two heads of state witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as cross-border railway, green and low-carbon development and digital economy.
Cai Qi and Wang Yi attended the above events.
Xi Jinping Meets with National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov
On the morning of October 19, 2023, President Xi Jinping met with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who is in China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).
Xi Jinping pointed out that China is a trustworthy friend and partner of Turkmenistan. In January this year, he and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov jointly announced the elevation of bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership and the establishment of a community with a shared future at the bilateral level, opening a new chapter in the development of China-Turkmenistan relations. Developing a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Turkmenistan meets the fundamental interests of both countries and the common aspirations of the two peoples. China is ready to work with Turkmenistan to promote the sustained and steady growth of bilateral relations in line with the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit.
Xi Jinping emphasized that mutual support is a core tenet of the China-Turkmenistan community with a shared future. China appreciates Turkmenistan’s strong support on issues concerning China’s core interests and major concerns, and will continue to support Turkmenistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests and in pursuing a development path that suits its national conditions. China is ready to enhance the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Turkmenistan’s strategy of reviving the Great Silk Road, making the ancient Silk Road a “road to happiness” in the new era. Xi said both sides need to scale up trade and expand cooperation in areas such as medical and health care, sports, tourism, and culture, ensure the success of the Year of Culture in each other’s country, and enable the establishment of Luban Workshop in Turkmenistan at an early date. China will work with Turkmenistan to implement the outcomes of the China-Central Asia Summit to better advance cooperation across the board.
Berdimuhamedov said China and Turkmenistan have a profound tradition of good-neighborliness, and bilateral friendship has grown ever stronger over time. The ancient Silk Road has connected the people of Turkmenistan and China, and contributed to the progress of world civilization. Today, close synergy has been forged between Turkmenistan’s strategy of reviving the Great Silk Road and the Belt and Road Initiative, which has greatly facilitated the connectivity, development and revitalization of both countries as well as countries in the region. President Xi Jinping’s important speech at the opening ceremony of the third BRF has pointed the direction for future cooperation. Berdimuhamedov noted that both sides need to carry forward the friendship, pass down the brotherly relationship from generation to generation, maintain mutual trust, understanding and support, deepen bilateral economic and energy cooperation, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and closely coordinate in multilateral mechanisms such as the China-Central Asia Summit, so as to deliver more fruitful results in the comprehensive strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and China to the benefit of the two peoples and contribute to the prosperity and development of the region.
Leaders of both countries jointly witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents, including an agreement on economic and technical cooperation.
Cai Qi and Wang Yi attended the above events.
Xi Jinping Meets with Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin
On the afternoon of October 19, 2023, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin who is in China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) and pay an official visit.
Xi Jinping pointed out the fact that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has made China the destination of his first official visit outside ASEAN fully demonstrates the great importance the new Thai government attaches to Thailand-China relations. China and Thailand are close neighbors, and their friendship has taken deep roots in the hearts of the two peoples. Xi said he is happy to see that the outcomes of his visit to Thailand last November are being actively and effectively implemented. China is ready to work with Thailand to add new dimensions to the “family-like relations” in the new era and turn the strengths of traditional friendship into momentum for win-win cooperation.
Xi Jinping stressed that China supports Thailand in following a development path suited to its national conditions. The two sides should continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, strive to be pacesetters in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, speed up the construction of the China-Thailand Railway, expand cooperation in fields like the digital economy, green development and new energy, and strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The two sides should also intensify efforts to crack down on cross-border crimes such as wire fraud and online gambling to create a safe and secure environment for the development of the two countries. China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Thailand within multilateral frameworks like ASEAN, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, and the United Nations, and share with Thailand the opportunities presented by China’s vast market and high-standard opening up, so as to inject positive energy into Asia’s development, and make positive contributions to global governance reform.
Srettha Thavisin extended congratulations on the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative and the successful holding of the third BRF. He said he sincerely admires President Xi Jinping’s vision and China’s achievements in poverty reduction, and would like to learn from China’s governance experience. Thailand will follow through on the important outcomes of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Thailand last November and work with China to build a Thailand-China community with a shared future for enhanced stability, prosperity and sustainability. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Thailand respects China’s core interests and firmly abides by the one-China principle. Srettha Thavisin expressed his hope that the two sides will deepen practical cooperation in various fields, jointly build the Thailand-China Railway, and advance the implementation of the China-Laos-Thailand Connectivity Development Corridor Outlook. Thailand will spare no effort to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Thailand, and welcomes more Chinese companies and tourists to the country for investment and sightseeing.
The two sides released a Joint Press Communiqué between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand.
Cai Qi and Wang Yi were present at the meeting.
President Xi Jinping Meets with President of Republic of Congo Denis Sassou-N’Guesso
On the afternoon of October 19, 2023, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with President of the Republic of Congo (ROC) Denis Sassou-N’Guesso who is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).
Xi Jinping pointed out that the ROC is an active participant and important partner in the Belt and Road cooperation. Both sides have pursued friendly cooperation in the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit, achieving tangible results. The successful implementation of such projects as the No.1 National Highway in the ROC, is exemplary. China and the ROC are true friends and good partners. China values the friendship between the two countries and is ready to strengthen pragmatic cooperation with the ROC within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. China is also ready to work with the ROC to explore and cultivate new growth drivers for cooperation in areas like digital economy and green development, so as to continuously elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries to new heights.
Xi Jinping emphasized that shared ideals, mutual trust and mutual support are the key to the sustained and steady growth of China-ROC relations. China appreciates the resolute support given by the ROC on issues related to China’s core interests and major concerns. China supports the ROC in safeguarding national independence, opposing foreign interference, and adhering to a development path that suits its national conditions, and supports the ROC in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs. China also stands ready to coordinate closely with the ROC in multilateral arena to promote the building of a fairer and more equitable international order.
Sassou-N’Guesso said that the Belt and Road Initiative is a great project platform that provides the world with a new model of inclusive development. The full success of the third BRF reflects the firm support of participating countries including the ROC for the Belt and Road Initiative. China is a major contributor to global economic growth, and the ROC sincerely admires the great achievements China has made in its development. The ROC is ready to take the opportunity of celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China next year to further develop bilateral relations. The ROC firmly adheres to the one-China policy and looks forward to continuing mutual support with China, strengthening pragmatic cooperation in infrastructure, green energy and other fields, and enhancing communication and collaboration within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The ROC actively supports President Xi Jinping’s Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, and believes that these important initiatives are conducive to upholding multilateralism and international fairness and justice.
Cai Qi and Wang Yi attended the meeting.
Xi Jinping Meets with Prime Minister of Mozambique Adriano Afonso Maleiane
On the evening of October 19, 2023, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister of Mozambique Adriano Afonso Maleiane who is in China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Mozambique are true friends and true brothers standing together in adversity and helping each other in difficulty. Xi said that he is glad to see that the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Mozambique has yielded fruitful outcomes. China is ready to work with Mozambique and other African countries to build the Belt and Road to high standard, and promote the implementation of three cooperative measures, namely, the Initiative on Supporting Africa’s Industrialization, the Plan for China Supporting Africa’s Agricultural Modernization, and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development. China will also enhance policy connectivity and joint planning and share development opportunities and outcomes with Mozambique to help African countries accelerate the process of modernization.
Xi Jinping emphasized that China is ready to work with Mozambique to further deepen traditional friendship, strengthen strategic coordination, and promote new progress in the China-Mozambique comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. China supports Mozambique in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and following a development path suited to its own national conditions. The two sides need to deepen cooperation in such fields as energy and agriculture, and promote educational, cultural, sub-national and non-governmental exchanges. China is ready to step up communication with Mozambique on such multilateral platforms as the United Nations, and promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.
Maleiane said he is very glad to come to China to attend the third BRF, noting that the visit has deepened their understanding of China and the Belt and Road Initiative, and helped them better appreciate the strategic vision of President Xi Jinping. He remarked that the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and other important initiatives are conducive to helping other countries eliminate poverty, grow the economy and improve the people’s livelihood. China’s development and foreign policies are based on peace, equality, respect and friendship, and are positive energy for world peace and development. Maleiane noted that China has always given Mozambique firm support as a true friend, either during Mozambique’s struggle for national independence or the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Mozambique is firmly committed to the one-China policy, and hopes to learn from China’s experience in modernization to find a better way to realize its own development, and deepen practical cooperation with China across the board to promote the building of a human community with a shared future for mankind.
Cai Qi and Wang Yi were present at the meeting.
Xi Jinping Meets with Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar
On the evening of October 19, 2023, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar who is in China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and ironclad friends. Successive Pakistani governments have actively supported and participated in Belt and Road cooperation. Over the past decade, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has achieved fruitful results, giving a strong boost to Pakistan’s economic and social development and becoming an important signature project of Belt and Road cooperation. China is ready to carry forward traditional friendship with Pakistan, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.
Xi Jinping stressed that China appreciates Pakistan’s firm support for China’s core interests over the years and will, as always, support Pakistan in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and in independently choosing a development path suited to its national conditions. The two sides should take the 10th anniversary of the CPEC this year as an opportunity to build an “upgraded version” of the corridor featuring growth, livelihood, innovation, greenness and openness, strengthen cooperation in areas like industrial park, agriculture, mining and new energy, and promote the early implementation of major connectivity projects and the achievement of practical results. China welcomes Pakistan’s efforts to increase export of high-quality agricultural products to China, and expects the Pakistani side to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan. China is ready to strengthen coordination with Pakistan within the frameworks of the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to promote regional unity and cooperation and safeguard the legitimate interests of developing countries.
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar extended congratulations on the great success of the Belt and Road Initiative over the past decade. He said that President Xi Jinping’s speech at the opening ceremony of the third BRF is profound and visionary. The eight major steps put forward by President Xi will not only enhance world connectivity, but also make the global governance system fairer and more equitable, providing important opportunities for Pakistan and other countries to achieve better development. The successful practice of Chinese modernization has set an example and provided impetus for other developing countries. China’s efforts to build a human community with a shared future have brought confidence and hope to other countries. Pakistan firmly abides by the one-China principle and stands with China on issues concerning China’s core interests, which is the cross-party consensus of Pakistan. Pakistan will always be a trustworthy and reliable friend of China, will never allow any force to undermine the friendship between Pakistan and China, and will remain committed to deepening the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China. Pakistan is ready to work closely with China to promote the high-quality development of the CPEC. The Pakistani government will make every effort to protect the safety and interests of Chinese citizens and institutions in Pakistan.
Cai Qi and Wang Yi were present at the meeting.
Xi Jinping Meets with President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff
On the evening of October 19, 2023, President Xi Jinping with President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff at the Great Hall of the People.
Recalling the birth of the New Development Bank which he and President Dilma Rousseff jointly witnessed in 2014 in Brazil, Xi Jinping pointed out that the bank has made remarkable achievements and grown from strength to strength in recent years. He noted that the world today is facing intertwined risks and crises. As an important emerging force in the international financial system, the New Development Bank should play its due role, and build itself into a new-type multilateral development institution in the 21st century that works to make the international financial system fairer and more equitable and effectively enhance the representation and say of emerging markets and developing countries. China welcomes the New Development Bank’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative and its contribution to the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to help more developing countries realize modernization. China will, as always, support the New Development Bank’s work, and provide support to President Rousseff in carrying out her duty in China.
Rousseff said that she is very glad to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Under the current international circumstances, all countries in the world need to take concerted actions to respond to common challenges. Strengthening infrastructure development and connectivity is of crucial importance for developing countries to realize common development. No other initiatives in human history have ever brought more than 150 countries together like the BRI does. The BRI and this Forum will play an important role in global sustainable development and green development. Rousseff thanked the Chinese government for greatly supporting the New Development Bank’s work, noting that bank has shared purpose and ideals as the BRI, and is ready to actively participate in the Belt and Road cooperation and make due contributions to a multi-polar world and the reform of the international financial system.
Cai Qi and Wang Yi were present at the meeting.
