Following his visits to Egypt and Tunisia, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded his January 2024 visit to Africa with visits to the west African states of Togo and Côte d’Ivoire.
Meeting Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe on January 17, both sides expressed a willingness to promote bilateral ties and advance cooperation between Africa and China.
Under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Togo and other African countries have achieved development in infrastructure construction, Gnassingbe said.
Africa has accelerated its economic growth, enhanced security and brought benefits to the people on the continent, he said, stressing that these achievements could not be realised without China’s long-term and selfless assistance.
Togo expresses gratitude to China for upholding justice in the international arena, opposing interference in Africa’s internal affairs, and playing an indispensable role in Africa’s peaceful development, the president added.
The African people need a friend like China, who takes care of Africa’s realities, listens to Africa’s demands, and never imposes its will on others. As a beneficiary of Africa-China cooperation, Togo will always trust China and carry forward the traditional friendship while deepening cooperation in various fields.
In today’s volatile world, Africa faces new challenges to its peaceful development and needs China’s support and Africa-China cooperation more than ever, he added.
Wang said that the China-Togo friendship, forged by the older generation of leaders, has become a model of South-South cooperation.
China understands and believes in Africa, he said, noting that as long as Africa is united and independent, grows strong through unity, and finds a development path suited to its national conditions, it will be able to overcome difficulties and create new opportunities.
The 21st century is a century of revitalisation for developing countries, Wang stressed, noting that China will always stand firmly with Africa, support Africa in accelerating its independent development, and promote the upgrading of China-Africa cooperation, to deliver more fruits of China-Africa cooperation to Togo and other African countries.
Wang went on to say that China has provided a reference for developing countries to explore development paths suited to their national conditions, and stands ready to share development experience and opportunities with Africa so as to realise modernisation for both China and Africa.
In her meeting with Wang, Prime Minister Victoire Sidemeho Tomegah Dogbe said that Togo admires China’s remarkable development achievements and hopes to learn from China’s experience and to strengthen cooperation in such fields as poverty alleviation, agriculture, industrial parks, interconnectivity, digital economy, personnel training and environmental protection, to create more jobs and achieve inclusive and sustainable growth. She added that Togo welcomes more investment from Chinese enterprises.
Dogbe said that FOCAC has played a vital role in accelerating Africa’s development, and the “nine projects” proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping have greatly benefited Togo. Togo is ready to work closely with China to prepare for the next meeting of the forum, she added. This is scheduled to be held in China in autumn this year.
Wang responded that China will continue to support Togo in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, national security and national dignity, promising that China will strengthen all-round cooperation with Togo and assist it in accelerating its industrialisation process.
Wang stressed that the FOCAC has become an important platform for promoting Africa’s development, served as a banner for China-Africa solidarity and cooperation, and effectively guided international cooperation with Africa.
In his meeting, Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said that Togo highly appreciates China’s tradition of adhering to the annual first visit of foreign ministers to Africa over the decades.
Wang Yi said that over the years, China and Togo have set an example by treating each other on an equal footing and fostering mutually beneficial cooperation, and this relationship has also become a symbol of China-Africa solidarity and friendship. China appreciates Togo’s adherence to Pan-Africanism and its active mediation of sub-regional hotspot issues, and China supports Togo in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs. Wang expressed China’s wish for Togo to successfully hold a Pan-African Congress.
Africa is a continent full of hope and represents an independent pole in a multipolar world, Wang said. He stressed that China supports African countries in upholding independence, seeking strength through unity, and holding Africa’s destiny in their own hands.
In the historical process of seeking development and revitalisation, Togo and other African countries can always rely on China as a long-term strategic partner. He affirmed that China fully supports Africa in exploring the African path to modernisation and in jointly creating an even brighter future for China-Africa cooperation.
On January 18, President of Côte d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara met with Wang Yi in his country’s economic capital, Abidjan. He said that he admires China’s remarkable achievements, and thanked China for shouldering responsibilities as a major country in promoting peace and development.
The president said that Côte d’Ivoire’s position on the Taiwan question is clear: there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China. He stated that Cote d’Ivoire would continue to abide by the one-China principle.
Wang congratulated Cote d’Ivoire on successfully hosting the 34th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) football tournament, saying that it is a grand event for the African people and a source of pride for Cote d’Ivoire.
China delivered the main stadium on time and with high quality, and the Cocody Bridge built by Chinese companies in Abidjan has become a new landmark for the country, symbolising mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides and representing China-Africa friendship.
In his meeting, Foreign Minister Kacou Houadja Leon Adom thanked the Chinese side for always caring for the needs of Côte d’Ivoire and providing valuable support in various fields, noting that China has helped Cote d’Ivoire successfully host the 34th Africa Cup of Nations.
Africa looks forward to taking the next meeting of FOCAC as an opportunity to deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, he added.
Wang expressed delight over China’s contribution to the success of the ongoing football tournament, stressing that China is willing to work with Côte d’Ivoire to advance pragmatic cooperation in various fields and open up new prospects for bilateral relations in a new era, under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state.
China will firmly support Africa in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and support African countries in seeking strength through unity and exploring a development path with African characteristics that accelerates its development while maintaining independence, Wang said. China has confidence in Africa’s development and supports Africa in striving for its rightful place in the global multipolar system and fully enjoying the dividends of economic globalisation.
Following these visits, Wang Yi continued his foreign tour to Brazil and Jamaica.
The following reports were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency.
China, Togo look forward to closer cooperation
LOME, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) — Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe on Wednesday met here with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with both sides expressing willingness to promote bilateral ties and advance cooperation between Africa and China.
Gnassingbe asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings and best wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping and spoke highly of the bilateral relations and practical cooperation.
Under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Togo and other African countries have achieved development in infrastructure construction, Gnassingbe said.
Africa has accelerated its economic growth, enhanced security and brought benefits to the people on the continent, he said, stressing that these achievements cannot be realized without China’s long-term and selfless assistance.
Togo expresses gratitude to China for upholding justice in the international arena, opposing interference in Africa’s internal affairs, and playing an indispensable role in Africa’s peaceful development, the president said.
The African people need a friend like China, who takes care of Africa’s realities, listens to Africa’s demands, and never imposes its will on others, he said.
As a beneficiary of Africa-China cooperation, Togo will always trust China and carry forward the traditional friendship while deepening cooperation in various fields, he added.
In today’s volatile world, Africa faces new challenges to its peaceful development and needs China’s support and Africa-China cooperation more than ever, he said.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed the cordial greetings from President Xi Jinping. He said that the China-Togo friendship, forged by the older generation of leaders, has become a model of South-South cooperation.
China will enhance the synergy of development strategies with Togo and support Togo in achieving sustainable development, he said.
China understands and believes in Africa, he said, noting that as long as Africa is united and independent, grows strong through unity, and finds a development path suited to its national conditions, it will be able to overcome difficulties and create new opportunities.
The 21st century is a century of revitalization for developing countries, Wang stressed, noting that China will always stand firmly with Africa, support Africa in accelerating its independent development, and promote the upgrading of China-Africa cooperation, to deliver more fruits of China-Africa cooperation to Togo and other African countries.
Wang said that China has provided a reference for developing countries to explore development paths suited to their national conditions, and China stands ready to share development experience and opportunities with Africa to realize modernization for both China and Africa.
China, Togo agree to well implement outcomes of China-Africa cooperation
LOME, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) — Togolese Prime Minister Victoire Sidemeho Tomegah Dogbe and visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday agreed to promote the implementation of the outcomes of China-Africa cooperation.
Dogbe thanked China for its selfless support in Togo’s development. Togo firmly upholds the one-China principle and supports China in realizing national reunification at an early date, she said.
Togo admires China’s remarkable development achievements and hopes to learn from China’s experience to strengthen cooperation in such fields as poverty alleviation, agriculture, industrial parks, interconnectivity, digital economy, personnel training and environmental protection, to create more jobs and achieve inclusive and sustainable growth, Dogbe said, adding that Togo welcomes more investment from Chinese enterprises.
Dogbe said that the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has played a vital role in accelerating Africa’s development, and the “nine projects” proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping have greatly benefited Togo.
Togo is ready to work closely with China to prepare for the next meeting of the forum, she said.
Togo supports a series of important global initiatives put forward by the Chinese president and is ready to strengthen coordination and implementation in this regard, she said.
Currently, the Sahel region is facing challenges to peace and security, Dogbe added, noting that she hopes to strengthen security and defense cooperation with China to combat terrorism.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that over the past half a century, China and Togo have firmly supported each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, continuously enhanced political mutual trust and steadily advanced mutually beneficial cooperation.
China will continue to support Togo in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, national security and national dignity, Wang said, promising that China will strengthen all-round cooperation with Togo and assist it in accelerating its industrialization process.
Wang stressed that the FOCAC has become an important platform for promoting Africa’s development, served as a banner for China-Africa solidarity and cooperation, and effectively guided international cooperation with Africa.
China will adhere to the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith for China’s policy to Africa proposed by President Xi, carry forward the spirit of China-Africa cooperation in the new era, advance the implementation of the “nine projects” in Africa, and help African countries explore development paths suited to their national conditions, Wang said.
China’s commitment to high-quality development and opening-up will continue to be an important engine for global economic growth, Wang noted, emphasizing that China is ready to share opportunities with African countries and expedite their respective modernization efforts.
Chinese, Togolese FMs pledge to strengthen strategic cooperation
LOME, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) — Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey on Wednesday pledged to enhance strategic cooperation between the two countries in their joint effort toward modernization.
Dussey said that he once again welcomed Wang’s visit, emphasizing its special significance. Togo highly appreciates China’s tradition of adhering to the annual first visit of foreign ministers to Africa over the decades, he noted.
The Togolese foreign minister reiterated that Togo would always stand firmly on China’s side, adhere to the one-China principle, and support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Togo-China friendship has a long history, and practical cooperation between the two countries has yielded fruitful results, Dussey said. He expressed gratitude to China for its long-term strong support for Togo’s economic and social development, saying that Togo would follow the guidance of President Faure Gnassingbe and President Xi Jinping to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with China and further deepen practical cooperation in various fields.
Facing the complex and severe challenges on the African continent and in the sub-region, Togo looks forward to strengthening strategic cooperation with China to jointly safeguard peace and stability, Dussey added.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that Dussey expressed firm support for the one-China principle at the airport last night, which fully demonstrated the friendly sentiments of the Togolese government and people toward China and the genuine partnership of mutual support between China and Togo.
Over the years, China and Togo have set an example by treating each other on an equal footing and fostering mutually beneficial cooperation, and this relationship has also become a symbol of China-Africa solidarity and friendship, Wang said.
Under the guidance of the two heads of state, bilateral relations have maintained a steady momentum of development, and practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, he added.
China is willing to expand all-round cooperation with Togo, implement joint projects effectively, and assist Togo in advancing its development, aiming to jointly strive for modernization, Wang said.
Wang said that China appreciates Togo’s adherence to Pan-Africanism and its active mediation of sub-regional hotspot issues, and China supports Togo in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs.
Wang expressed China’s wish for Togo to successfully hold a Pan-African Congress.
Africa is a continent full of hope and represents an independent pole in a multi-polar world, Wang said. He stressed that China supports African countries in upholding independence, seeking strength through unity, and holding Africa’s destiny in their own hands.
In the historical process of seeking development and revitalization, Togo and other African countries can always rely on China as a long-term strategic partner, Wang said. He affirmed that China fully supports Africa in exploring the African path to modernization and in jointly creating an even brighter future for China-Africa cooperation.
President of Cote d’Ivoire reaffirms one-China principle, underpins cooperation with China
ABIDJAN, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) — President of Cote d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday in Abidjan, the economic capital of the West African country, during which the president reaffirmed the adherence to the one-China principle.
Ouattara asked Wang to convey his good wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping, and expressed appreciation for Xi’s governance philosophy and deep concern for the people. He said that he admires China’s remarkable achievements, and thanked China for shouldering responsibilities as a major country in promoting peace and development.
Ouattara expressed pride in the friendship with China and in the strong relations between the two countries. He affirmed that his country would continue to prioritize its relations with China, looking forward to learning from China’s successful experiences, expanding cooperation in various fields, and achieving more outcomes from the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Cote d’Ivoire to better benefit both peoples.
The president said that Cote d’Ivoire’s position on the Taiwan question is clear: there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China. He stated that Cote d’Ivoire would continue to abide by the one-China principle.
For his part, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed cordial greetings from Xi to Ouattara. He congratulated Cote d’Ivoire on successfully hosting the 34th Africa Cup of Nations, saying that it is a grand event for the African people and a source of pride for Cote d’Ivoire.
China delivered the main stadium on time and with high quality, and the Cocody Bridge built by Chinese companies in Abidjan has become a new landmark for the country, symbolizing mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides and representing China-Africa friendship, Wang said.
China highly appreciates Cote d’Ivoire’s support for China’s efforts in safeguarding national unity and territorial integrity, Wang said, noting that China will continue to speak out on issues concerning Cote d’Ivoire’s core interests and major concerns.
China is ready to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and continuously promote the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Cote d’Ivoire to a new level, he said.
China-Africa cooperation has made historic achievements, providing crucial assistance in accelerating Africa’s development and contributing to global peace and stability, Wang said.
China is ready to work with African countries to explore effective ways that suit their respective national conditions, preserve their independence, and achieve common development and prosperity, striving together for modernization, he said.
China, Cote d’Ivoire pledge to advance win-win cooperation
ABIDJAN, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) — Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cote d’Ivoire Kacou Houadja Leon Adom on Thursday in Abidjan, the economic capital of the West African country, with both sides pledging to advance all-round cooperation to achieve win-win results.
Adom said that Cote d’Ivoire adheres to the one-China principle and supports China in defending its legitimate rights and interests in the South China Sea.
He thanked the Chinese side for always caring for the needs of Cote d’Ivoire and providing valuable support in various fields, noting that China has helped Cote d’Ivoire successfully host the 34th Africa Cup of Nations.
Cote d’Ivoire is willing to continue developing dynamic relations with China, further expand mutually beneficial cooperation, learn from China’s experience, and explore a path to modernization that suits Cote d’Ivoire’s national conditions, he said.
Adom said that China has always been sincere and friendly to Africa, carrying out cooperation with Africa in accordance with the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.
Africa looks forward to taking the next meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) as an opportunity to deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, he added.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China and Cote d’Ivoire are friends and partners striving for development and revitalization, and the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries has achieved fruitful results.
He expressed delight over China’s contribution to the success of the ongoing football tournament, stressing that China is willing to work with Cote d’Ivoire to advance pragmatic cooperation in various fields and open up new prospects for bilateral relations in a new era, under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state.
Wang said that Cote d’Ivoire is the last leg of his New Year trip to Africa, during which leaders of the four African countries announced their firm support for the Chinese government’s position on the Taiwan question and for China’s efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, fully demonstrating the tradition of mutual support between China and Africa.
China will firmly support Africa in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and support African countries in seeking strength through unity and exploring a development path with African characteristics that accelerates its development while maintaining independence, Wang said.
Wang stressed that the FOCAC has made great achievements in promoting China-Africa cooperation, which has also effectively promoted the international community to increase input in Africa.
China has confidence in Africa’s development and supports Africa in striving for its rightful place in the global multipolar system and fully enjoying the dividends of economic globalization, Wang said.
China will strengthen the synergy of development strategies and exchange of governance experience with Africa to accelerate the realization of modernization in China and Africa, he added.
The two sides also exchanged views on cooperation in a wide range of fields, including economy and trade, investment, infrastructure, education and training, and agriculture. Both sides share a high degree of consensus on international and regional issues and will maintain close communication and coordination to jointly promote peace and security in Africa, safeguard the legitimate interests of China and Africa, and uphold international fairness and justice.
