Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulations on February 22 with President Denis Sassou-N’guesso of the Republic of the Congo (commonly known as Congo Brazzaville) on the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and vowed to join Sassou-N’guesso in promoting the strategic partnership between the two sides.
Noting that their friendship has stood the test of time, Xi added that over the 60 years, the two countries, despite changes in the international situation, have consistently engaged in sincere cooperation and mutual development, and have become good friends who trust each other politically and good partners for win-win economic cooperation.
Sassou-N’guesso observed that over the 60 years of diplomatic relations, the people of both countries have always been united and friendly, upholding common aspirations for peace, justice, and prosperity. This has propelled the rapid development of the comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership between the Republic of the Congo and China.
On the basis of mutual trust and mutual benefit, both sides have engaged in extensive cooperation with fruitful outcomes, Sassou-N’guesso said, adding that he is willing to further consolidate and deepen the friendly cooperation between the Republic of the Congo and China, so as to make positive contributions to the building of a high-level community with a shared future between China and Africa.
On the same day, at the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s regular press conference, spokesperson Mao Ning replied to a question from the Xinhua News Agency as follows:
“Today marks the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and the Republic of the Congo. President Xi Jinping and President Denis Sassou-N’Guesso exchanged messages of congratulations to commemorate this important day.
“When meeting with President Sassou-N’Guesso last October, President Xi Jinping noted that shared ideals, mutual trust and mutual support are the key to the sustained and steady growth of China-Congo relations. Over the past six decades, no matter how the international landscape has evolved, the two countries have always shared weal and woe, and given each other mutual understanding and support on major issues of core interests. Our two countries have journeyed together with similar philosophies and been each other’s true partners with mutual trust and iron-clad friends with mutual support. Over the past six decades, the two sides have striven forward together, made solid efforts and engaged in sincere cooperation that delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples. The No.1 National Highway in the Congo has shortened travel time between the capital Brazzaville and the economic centre Pointe-Noire from one week to eight hours. The Sino-Congolese Bank for Africa is providing convenient financial services to local residents. The aircraft maintenance centre that is under construction will further boost the aviation industry of the Congo and the sub-region. The China-Congo Friendship Primary School, built with the aid from the Congo to the earthquake-stricken area in Yushu, Qinghai, is a vivid illustration of China-Congo friendship that shines in difficult times.
“Going forward, China stands ready to continue working with the Congo to deliver on the common understandings of the leaders of the two countries and bring the China-Congo comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new level. China will take the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation meetings to be held this year as an opportunity to seek synergy between Chinese modernisation and Africa’s peace and development, work with friendly countries of Africa including the Congo, and build the China-Africa community with a shared future at a higher level.”
The references to “shared ideals” and “similar philosophies” are significant. Between 1969-1977, under the leadership of President Marien Ngouabi, the then People’s Republic of Congo made serious efforts to build a socialist state under the guidance of Marxism-Leninism. President Sassou-N’Guesso continues to lead the Congolese Party of Labour (PCT), founded by Ngouabi, and has frequently referred to the teachings of Lenin and to the historical experiences of both the Soviet Union and China. The website of the PCT may be viewed here.
The following article was first published by the Xinhua News Agency.
BEIJING, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulations on Thursday with President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and vowed to join Sassou in promoting the strategic partnership of the two sides.
The friendship between China and the Republic of the Congo has stood the test of time, Xi remarked.
Over the 60 years, the two countries, despite changes in the international situation, have consistently engaged in sincere cooperation and mutual development, during which the two sides have become good friends who trust each other politically and good partners for win-win economic cooperation, Xi added.
In recent years, the frequent exchanges between the two countries, the continuous deepening of political mutual trust, and the steady progress of practical cooperation have brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries, which is a vivid reflection of the spirit of friendly cooperation between China and Africa, Xi said.
The Chinese president said he highly values the development of bilateral relations and is willing to work with President Sassou to take the anniversary of relations as a new starting point, continuously enrich the comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership between the two countries, and work together to build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.
Sassou expressed that over the 60 years of diplomatic relations, the people of both countries have always been united and friendly, upholding common aspirations for peace, justice, and prosperity. This has propelled the rapid development of the comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership between the Republic of the Congo and China.
On the basis of mutual trust and mutual benefit, both sides have engaged in extensive cooperation with fruitful outcomes, Sassou said, adding that he is willing to further consolidate and deepen the friendly cooperation between the Republic of the Congo and China, so as to make positive contributions to promote the building of a high-level community with a shared future between China and Africa.
