Belt and Road Initiative Archives - Friends of Socialist China

Namibia and China reinforce traditional friendship with a commitment to build a shared future for the new era

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the Republic of Namibia paid a state visit to China from July 5-11, 2026. It was her first visit to China since she became her country’s first female head of state in March 2025.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah arrived in Beijing on July 8, after first visiting Guangdong and Sichuan provinces. She met with President Xi Jinping on the afternoon of July 10, and the two presidents jointly announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a China-Namibia community with a shared future for the new era.

President Xi Jinping noted that China and Namibia enjoy profound traditional friendship and share common aspirations for development. He made three proposals for building a China-Namibia community with a shared future for the new era:

We need to firmly support each other and deepen the convergence of our visions. The two sides need to maintain close high-level exchanges, deepen experience-sharing on governance, and stay in regular communication on issues of overall and strategic importance in our bilateral relations.

We need to tap the potential of cooperation and take it to higher levels. China has enacted a zero-tariff policy for all the 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China. This is a groundbreaking move in expanding China’s high-standard opening up, and much-needed assistance that helps African countries accelerate their development. We hope Namibia will make full use of the zero-tariff access, the upgraded fast track for Namibian exports to reach China, and other favourable policies, so that more high-quality Namibian products will come in at a faster pace.

We need to uphold solidarity and coordination to safeguard multilateralism. As important members of the Global South, China and Namibia share extensive common interests and similar values. The two sides should strengthen solidarity and coordination, firmly support each other, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice. China stands ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Namibia and other African countries to enhance the strength and voice of the Global South and make new contributions to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said that the friendship between Namibia and China goes back a long way, and bilateral relations have made impressive progress over the years. She extended warm congratulations on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and hailed China as a great country, noting that under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping, China’s remarkable economic and social achievements have won global admiration. The SWAPO Party of Namibia looks forward to enhanced inter-party exchanges and closer communication and cooperation with the CPC. China has long provided selfless support and assistance to African countries, including Namibia, and has always upheld a just position in international and regional affairs. Namibia will enhance communication and coordination with China to safeguard the common interests of developing countries and jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Following the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents in areas such as economy and trade, healthcare, education, and human resources.

The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Namibia on Building a China-Namibia Community with a Shared Future for the New Era. Among the salient points covered in this detailed document are:

The two sides agreed that China and Namibia enjoy a deep traditional friendship and that it has grown stronger with the passage of time. China and Namibia established diplomatic relations in 1990 [on the day after Namibia’s independence] and the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in 2018, and the two countries have continued to consolidate mutual political trust, achieved fruitful gains in practical cooperation, coordinated and collaborated in international affairs, setting an inspiring example of China-Africa friendship and South-South cooperation.

Namibia commended the sound guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era and the people-centred development philosophy of the Communist Party of China. Namibia believes that the successful practice of Chinese modernisation provides useful reference for developing countries to explore their paths towards modernisation.

China appreciated the visionary leadership of H.E. Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, and supports Namibia’s pursuit of economic growth, industrialisation and prosperity.

Both sides committed to strengthen their mutually beneficial friendly cooperation under new circumstances, which meets the common development aspirations of the two peoples and helps to work together to promote a more just, equitable international order. To this end, the two sides decided to elevate bilateral relations to a China-Namibia community with a shared future for the new era.

China commended the SWAPO party of Namibia for writing “socialism with Namibian characteristics” into its party constitution and supports President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in leading the SWAPO party on a sustainable development path suited to Namibia’s national interests. China supports Namibia in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and socio-economic development interests, and in resolutely opposing external interference.

Both sides agreed that the Communist Party of China and the SWAPO Party of Namibia enjoy a profound friendship, close cooperation and shared ideologies, a model of inter-party cooperation between China and Africa. China is ready to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation and continue to deepen the relations with the six sister parties in Southern Africa. [Besides Namibia’s SWAPO, these are South Africa’s ANC, Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF, Angola’s MPLA, Mozambique’s FRELIMO and Tanzania’s CCM.]

Namibia commended the full implementation of zero-tariff treatment granted to African countries having diplomatic relations with China, and believes that amid rising unilateralism and protectionism, this move demonstrates China’s responsibility as a major country and determination to firmly expand high-standard opening up. Both sides are committed to the mutual reinforcement between the zero-tariff policy and the needs of Namibia to expand exports, attract investment and create jobs.

Namibia commended President Xi Jinping’s four propositions on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, as well as his three observations on China and Africa joining hands to address the spillover challenges of the Middle East situation. The two sides call on relevant parties to stay committed to peaceful solutions, resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation, and bring peace and stability back to the Middle East region.

The two sides emphasised that all sides should respect the diversity of civilisations across the world, uphold the common values of humanity, strengthen inter-civilisational exchanges, and champion equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness between civilisations, in a pursuit of progress of human civilisation. Taking the opportunity of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges in 2026, the two sides are ready to deepen communication and cooperation and forge a closer bond between the peoples.

The two sides committed to deepen healthcare exchanges and cooperation in such forms as medical personnel training, disease control and health emergency response, and explore cooperation in the production of pharmaceuticals in Namibia. China will actively support Namibia in building its healthcare system and continue to send medical teams and strengthen cooperation with partner hospitals.

The two sides reaffirmed strong commitment to promoting greater unity and strength of the Global South, jointly safeguarding international fairness and justice, and maintaining solidarity and cooperation of the international community. Both sides will firmly uphold the UN-centred international system, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and practice true multilateralism.

The two sides applauded the successful visit of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to China, which both sides believe, holds great significance for the development of bilateral relations and the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed heartfelt appreciation to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government and people for the warm hospitality extended to her during her visit, and invited President Xi Jinping to visit Namibia at a convenient time.

Nandi-Ndaitwah met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang the previous day.

Noting that Namibia is an important partner of China in Africa, Li said China is willing to work with Namibia to carry forward traditional friendship, firmly support each other’s core interests and major concerns, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation, in order to advance the modernisation of the two countries.

The two sides should deepen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as tourism, health, education, science and technology, and youth, said Li, adding that China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Namibia under mechanisms such as the United Nations and work with all parties to promote true multilateralism, implement the four major global initiatives proposed by China, advance an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met with the Namibian head of state on July 10.

He said that China’s NPC is willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with the Parliament of Namibia, deepen collaboration on multilateral platforms such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and contribute to common development.

Noting that the friendship between Namibia and China has a long history and continues to grow stronger, Nandi-Ndaitwah said that the Namibian side adheres to the one-China principle and stands ready to carry out close cooperation with China in various fields, including the economy and trade, infrastructure, agriculture and minerals.

China and Bangladesh upgrade relations to a community with a shared future in the new era

Tarique Rahman, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, paid an official visit to China from June 22 to 26, 2026, which included attending the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026 (Summer Davos) held in the northeastern city of Dalian.

Rahman met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on the morning of June 26 and the two leaders jointly announced the decision to build a China-Bangladesh community with a shared future in the new era, elevating bilateral relations to a higher level.

President Xi Jinping noted that China has all along attached great importance to the development of China-Bangladesh relations and stayed true to the policy of good-neighbourliness and friendship toward all the people of Bangladesh. No matter how the world changes, China will not waver in its commitment to the overall direction of China-Bangladesh friendly relations, and will always be a trustworthy good friend, good neighbour, and good partner of Bangladesh. This year marks the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China. Looking back over its history, the CPC has united and led the Chinese people in emerging from poverty and weakness and blazing a path of Chinese modernisation. Its strength lies in independence and self-reliance, and in keeping the future of national development and progress firmly in its own hands. China supports Bangladesh in upholding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and rejecting foreign interference. China is ready to work with Bangladesh to increase exchanges of governance experience, enhance ties at all levels, deepen strategic communication, strengthen political mutual trust, and continue to support each other on issues concerning the respective core interests and major concerns of the two countries.

China supports the new government of Bangladesh in its governance efforts, and stands ready to work with Bangladesh to carry out high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, further align development strategies, exchange development experience, make sound plans for orderly cooperation in priority areas, explore cooperation potential in green and low-carbon development, digital economy, information technology, and artificial intelligence, conduct exchanges in healthcare, culture and education and at subnational levels, and advance the development of the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor for greater regional connectivity. China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Bangladesh within multilateral frameworks including the UN, so as to jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation and better uphold the legitimate rights and common interests of the two countries and the interests of the Global South.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman extended congratulations on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC. He said that China is a great country, holds a significant place in Bangladesh’s foreign policy, and is a valued and trusted partner of Bangladesh. He was pleased that bilateral relations have been raised to a new level of a Bangladesh-China community with a shared future in the new era. Under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has made great development achievements, and Chinese modernisation is an example for Bangladesh to learn from.

The two countries released a 15-point Joint Communiqué. In it, the two sides agreed to promote high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and work together to realise their goals of modernisation. China will pursue greater synergy with Bangladesh on development plans, promote both major signature projects and “small and beautiful” livelihood projects, and continue to support Bangladesh in advancing industrialisation and enhancing agricultural modernisation and resilience.

Bangladesh appreciated China for the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of tariff lines and will foster a favourable environment for Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh. The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in such areas as integrated water resources management, water resources planning, hydrological forecasting, flood prevention and disaster reduction, and river dredging, and related technology sharing.

China supported Bangladesh in playing a greater role in multilateral institutions such as the UN, and supported Bangladesh to participate in the BRICS and the application of Bangladesh to become a partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The two sides expressed readiness to continue promoting multilateral cooperation in the region and welcome more regional countries to join in the process.

Bangladesh commended China’s constructive role in promoting the resolution of the issue concerning the forcibly displaced people from the Rakhine State of Myanmar who have taken shelter in Bangladesh. The Chinese side commended Bangladesh for providing humanitarian assistance to those people, and supported Bangladesh and Myanmar in finding a mutually acceptable solution through friendly consultations. China will continue to facilitate this process to the best of its capabilities.

The previous day, Rahman had met with his Chinese counterpart Premier Li Qiang, who said that China stands ready to work with Bangladesh to consolidate strategic mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and bring more benefits to the people of both countries.

China is also ready to work with Bangladesh to uphold good-neighbourliness and friendship, consolidate strategic mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, promote continuous new and greater development of China-Bangladesh relations, and bring more benefits to the people of the two countries.

China is also willing to work with Bangladesh to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, import more high-quality products from Bangladesh, support capable Chinese enterprises in investing in Bangladesh, and expand cooperation in emerging industries such as new energy, digital economy, artificial intelligence and information and communication with the Bangladeshi side.

Li also noted that China stands ready to closely coordinate and cooperate with Bangladesh in multilateral affairs, safeguard common interests, promote unity and self-reliance among developing countries, and make greater contributions to the joint development of the Global South.

Rahman expressed his gratitude to China for the valuable support it has provided to Bangladesh’s economic and social development over a long period of time, noting that Bangladesh looks forward to maintaining close high-level exchanges with China and strengthening the alignment of their development strategies.

Bangladesh firmly defends the post-war international order and highly agrees with and supports the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity and the four major global initiatives proposed by China. Bangladesh is also willing to cooperate with China on multilateral platforms.

Rahman met with Zhao Leji, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, on June 26.

Zhao said China is willing to work with Bangladesh to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, carry forward and practice the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, deepen political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and promote the continuous development of China-Bangladesh relations.

The previous day he met with Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (IDCPC), in his capacity of Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Rahman said that China is a trustworthy old friend, a good friend and the most important development partner of Bangladesh. Bangladesh cannot achieve development and security without China’s assistance and support. Bangladesh firmly upholds the one-China principle and stands ready to work with China to carry forward the tradition of friendship, deepen mutual support, expand practical cooperation across all sectors, including livelihood projects in such areas as water infrastructure, industrial parks and hospitals, and push Bangladesh-China relations to a new height, so as to deliver greater benefits to the two peoples.

Liu noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975, friendship has always been the defining feature of China-Bangladesh relations, and continuity is a defining feature of the friendship. Today, with unprecedented changes unfolding at a faster pace, the two sides should further consolidate political mutual trust through mutual support, draw a blueprint for win-win outcomes through practical cooperation, strengthen the bonds between the two peoples through people-to-people exchanges, and uphold international equity and justice through multilateral collaboration, ensuring that the friendship between China and Bangladesh is passed down through generations and continues to brim with new vitality. The CPC attaches great importance to its friendly relations with the BNP, and stands ready to take the signing of the memorandum of understanding on exchanges and cooperation between the two Parties as an opportunity to further deepen institutionalised inter-party exchanges, raise the level of the exchange of experience in state governance and administration, and promote cooperation in such areas as sub-national, youth, media and livelihood affairs through the “political party+” channel, so as to contribute the strength of the political parties to the continued development of China-Bangladesh relations.

Tarique Rahman became the 11th Prime Minister of Bangladesh on February 17, 2026, following the BNP’s decisive victory in the general election of February 12, where it won two thirds of the parliamentary seats. The Awami League, winner of the last four elections, was banned and could not contest. Rahman’s late father and mother previously served respectively as president and prime minister of Bangladesh.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation marks a quarter century

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) celebrated the 25th anniversary of its foundation on June 15.

Marking the occasion, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke at a Beijing reception.

Wang said that the founding of the SCO 25 years ago turned a new page in contemporary international relations. Over the past 25 years, member states have worked together in solidarity, upheld moral principles, pursued common development and engaged in mutual learning. They have nurtured the “Shanghai Spirit”, which features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity, and pursuit of common development. The SCO has pioneered a new model of regional cooperation among neighbouring countries featuring partnership instead of alliance, under which all parties jointly safeguard security and stability and advance common development and prosperity.

Setting out some key tasks for the organisation in the coming period, he said:

We need to safeguard peace and tranquility: adding the need to promote peace and stability in the Middle East, support Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development, and realise long-term stability in the region.
We need to advance sustainable development: including accelerating the preparation for the establishment of the SCO Development Bank.
We need to enhance good-neighbourly friendship and cooperation.

Secretary-General of the SCO Nurlan Yermekbayev noted in his speech that after 25 years of dedicated efforts, the SCO has entered its prime and grown into the world’s largest transregional international organisation. China Daily further reported him as noting the growing international interest in the organisation, saying that there are now about 20 applications from countries seeking to join the SCO in one capacity or another, which demonstrates the appeal of its values and principles.

Meanwhile Djoomart Otorbaev, a former prime minister of Kyrgyzstan, the country that chairs the SCO this year, contributed an ‘op ed’ to China Daily, in which he noted:

“The 25th anniversary of the founding of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on June 15 marks more than a symbolic milestone. Over the past 25 years, the SCO has evolved from a narrowly focused border-security mechanism into one of the largest transregional organisations in Eurasia and one of the central pillars of the emerging multipolar order.

“In a world marked by fragmented globalisation, sanctions, conflicts and institutional crises within the Western system, the SCO is increasingly establishing itself as a contributor to international cooperation, emphasising sovereignty, consensus and strategic pragmatism. The SCO is becoming a symbol of resistance against the unipolar development model some powers are desperate to impose on Eurasian countries.”

Today, he points out, the SCO includes 10 member states, two observer states and 15 dialogue partners:

“The organisation’s expanding geography reflects the growing demand for non-Western mechanisms of international coordination.

“The SCO’s scale is unprecedented. The combined territory of its member states exceeds 36 million square kilometres — more than 25 percent of the Earth’s land area. The total population of SCO countries has surpassed 3.4 billion, representing nearly half of the total world population. Economically, the organisation already constitutes one of the world’s principal centers of gravity, representing about a quarter of global GDP.”

China and Russia, he continues, “remain the primary engines of this process, but the rapid integration of Central Asian economies demonstrates the broader regional significance of the SCO framework. For smaller member states, the organisation has become economically indispensable. It is estimated that SCO countries account for approximately 75 percent of Kyrgyzstan’s trade turnover, 67 percent for Tajikistan and nearly half for Uzbekistan… One of the organisation’s most strategically significant trends has been the transition toward settlements in national currencies. In trade between key SCO countries, the share of transactions conducted in rubles, yuan, rupees and other national currencies has greatly increased, gradually reducing dependence on the US dollar and Western-controlled financial systems.”

Comparing the SCO to BRICS, Otorbaev writes:

“Unlike many informal geopolitical platforms, the SCO possesses a fully institutionalised structure. It functions as a formal international organisation with a charter, permanent bodies, an approved budget, a secretary-general and fixed headquarters in Beijing and Tashkent… This institutional depth sets the SCO apart from groups such as BRICS. While BRICS mainly serves as an informal platform of geopolitical dialogue without an official charter or permanent secretariat, the SCO is a formal Eurasian organisation with legal responsibilities and ongoing operations.”

He identifies three strategic priorities that will likely determine the SCO’s future trajectory:

Financial integration across SCO countries strengthens regional economic independence.
Transport integration would actively advance a unified Eurasian transport network.
The SCO brings together the world’s largest energy producers and key consumers. The SCO is progressively establishing the groundwork for a self-sufficient Asian energy market, complete with its own pricing structures and settlement systems.

He concludes: “Twenty-five years after its founding, the SCO is no longer merely a regional organisation. It is one of the institutional foundations of the new Eurasian century.”

Multi-party delegation from Türkiye visits China

A multi-party parliamentary delegation from Türkiye recently visited China and met with Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (IDCPC), on June 11.

Liu said that under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, China-Türkiye relations have maintained overall stability and kept forging ahead amid a fluid international environment. In recent years, the Belt and Road Initiative has aligned closely with Türkiye’s Middle Corridor Initiative. Bilateral cooperation has flourished in economy, trade, energy, infrastructure, digital economy and other sectors, while exchanges and collaboration in education, culture, arts, cultural relics, sports and other fields have deepened continuously, and people-to-people bonds are growing stronger through bilateral exchanges.

The Turkish side said that Türkiye and China are both nations with time-honoured histories and splendid civilisations, bound closely together by the ancient Silk Road. Speaking highly of the remarkable achievements China has made in economic growth, scientific and technological advancement, poverty alleviation and other areas under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and the CPC, the Turkish side appreciates China’s correct stance on the Middle East issue. Türkiye is committed to promoting the long-term stable development of Türkiye-China relations, regards China as an important partner, believes that the Middle Corridor Initiative and the Belt and Road Initiative are mutually supportive and complementary, and is confident that China’s 15th Five-Year Plan will not only benefit itself but also contribute to the economic and technological development of other countries, including Türkiye.

The website of the IDCPC lists eight parties as being represented on the delegation. They include the ruling Justice and Development Party and representatives from across the political spectrum, including liberal, pro-European parties and conservative Islamic and nationalist parties. Significantly, the largely Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party and the Marxist Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP) were also represented. The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) was not listed.

Xi Jinping: China’s policy of friendship toward Myanmar is for all the people of Myanmar

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing paid a state visit to China from June 15-19.

President Xi Jinping held talks with President Min Aung Hlaing on the morning of June 16.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Myanmar enjoy a deep pauk-phaw [brotherly] friendship. Over the 76 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties, China and Myanmar have always stood together through thick and thin and helped each other and jointly advocated and practiced the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, setting a fine example of state-to-state relations featuring equality and mutual benefit. China pursues a principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and places its relations with Myanmar in an important position of its neighbourhood diplomacy. China is committed to the principle of noninterference in internal affairs. Its policy of friendship toward Myanmar is for all the people of Myanmar. China firmly supports Myanmar in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity and supports Myanmar’s new government in coordinating development and security and pursuing a right path of development that fits its national conditions and has the support of its people.

Xi added that the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor is a flagship project of the Belt and Road cooperation. The two sides need to steadily advance the construction of major projects on the basis of ensuring safety and security, to support Myanmar in growing its economy and improving livelihoods. China stands ready to step up support for Myanmar’s post-earthquake reconstruction, implement more “small and beautiful” assistance programs, and jointly tell the stories of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. The two sides need to continue cracking down on criminal activities including online gambling, telecom fraud and drug trafficking, and fully safeguard the interests and security of the two peoples. China supports various parties in Myanmar in pursuing peace and reconciliation through peace talks and realising lasting peace and security in northern Myanmar, which serves the fundamental and long-term interests of Myanmar and its people. [Myanmar is home to numerous ethnic armed organisations, some of which have concluded agreements with the union government or are engaged in a peace process. Particularly in the north of the country, China also maintains traditional ties with various organisations, including based on ethnic affinity as well as on their genesis in the Communist Party of Burma. Among the most significant of such organisations – all of which are aligned to political parties – are the United Wa State Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, Arakan Army, Kachin Independence Army, Karen National Army and the Shan State Army.]

President Min Aung Hlaing said that Myanmar and China share a long-standing pauk-phaw friendship. The two countries have always assisted and supported each other, upheld the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and forged a strong good-neighbourly partnership, and are jointly moving toward a new phase of building a community with a shared future through thick and thin. Myanmar appreciates China’s long-standing selfless support for Myanmar’s development, stability, peace and reconciliation, and remains firmly committed to the one-China principle. The new government of Myanmar is making full efforts to advance domestic peace and development, and actively exploring a political system and development path suited to its national conditions. China’s implementation of its 15th Five-Year Plan offers important opportunities for its Asian neighbours including Myanmar. Myanmar looks forward to strengthening all-round cooperation with China, jointly building the Myanmar-China Economic Corridor, and elevating trade and investment. Myanmar stands ready to work closely with China to resolutely combat online gambling and telecom fraud and safeguard security and stability in the border areas. Myanmar fully supports the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping and is ready to enhance multilateral communication and coordination with China.

Also on June 16, President Min Aung Hlaing met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Li said that China stands ready to work with Myanmar to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the steady progress of bilateral relations to better serve the modernisation drive of the two countries and jointly promote regional stability and prosperity. He pointed out that China is willing to deepen high-quality cooperation with Myanmar on jointly developing the Belt and Road Initiative, expand cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence and digital economy, and continue to move forward hand in hand on the path of common development.

Min Aung Hlaing expressed gratitude to China for providing valuable assistance to Myanmar’s economic and social development, adding that Myanmar is willing to enhance strategic alignment with China, promote cooperation on the Myanmar-China Economic Corridor, deepen cooperation in trade, investment and other fields, strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and push the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Myanmar and China to a higher level.

The Myanmar president also met with Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, on the same day.

On June 17, the two countries released the Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on Accelerating the Building of a China-Myanmar Community with a Shared Future.

Its key points include:

Both sides emphasised that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 76 years ago, China and Myanmar have been sincere, mutually trusting, and supportive good neighbours, good friends, and good partners. China and Myanmar enjoy a longstanding friendship and close partnership. They have always adhered to equality and mutual benefit, and firmly supported each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. In light of the profound changes taking place in the regional and international landscape, both sides agreed to uphold the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, further carry forward the China-Myanmar “pauk-phaw” friendship, deepen practical and mutual beneficial cooperation across various fields on the basis of equality, mutual respect, consultation, and shared benefit, and continue advancing the building of a China-Myanmar community with a shared future, and better benefit the people of both countries.
The Chinese side firmly supports the Myanmar side in following a development path that suits its national conditions and enjoys the support of its people, firmly supports the Myanmar side in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and national dignity, and firmly supports the Myanmar side in realising national peace and stability, national reconciliation, social harmony and lasting peace.
The Myanmar side reiterated its commitment to the one-China policy, recognising that there is only one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China, and that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Myanmar opposes any form of “Taiwan independence,” will not conduct any form of official exchanges with Taiwan, and firmly supports all efforts made by China to achieve national reunification, emphasising that the authority of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 is indisputable.
Both sides reaffirm that neither country will allow its territories to be used for activities detrimental to the other’s security interests.
Both sides attached importance and expressed readiness to finalise and sign the “Belt and Road” cooperation plan in a timely manner. The two sides agreed to promote the implementation of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) and steadily promote cooperation on major corridor projects such as the Kyaukpyu Deep-Sea Port and the Muse-Mandalay Railway. These projects will be guided by the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, commercial viability, financial sustainability, in full alignment with laws, regulations, and national conditions of both countries. Furthermore, both sides will leverage the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines, steadily advance power grid interconnection, and explore economically and environmentally sustainable energy partnerships. The Chinese side reiterated its willingness to provide ongoing development support for which the Myanmar side expressed gratitude.
The Chinese side actively supports Myanmar’s post-earthquake reconstruction. On the basis of the emergency humanitarian disaster relief assistance previously provided, China is willing to further provide support within its capacity. The two sides will jointly promote the reconstruction of landmark projects such as the Aungsan Stadium in Yangon, deepen development cooperation in disaster prevention and mitigation, medical and healthcare services, and implement further community-focused human resources development, and explore more “small and beautiful” livelihood assistance projects.
The Chinese side supports the Myanmar side in advancing its domestic peace and reconciliation process through political dialogue. The Myanmar side appreciates China’s positive and constructive role in this regard, particularly in facilitating peace talks in northern Myanmar. Both sides agreed to strengthen communication and coordination to maintain peace and stability and common development along their shared border areas.
The two sides agreed to firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations founded on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Both sides are committed to promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. Both sides oppose all forms of unilateralism, protectionism and oppose practices that undermine regional peace and stability, such as the creation of exclusive “small circles”, the instigation of bloc confrontation, and the return of militarism and other practices that endanger regional peace and stability, and will firmly uphold the victory of World War II and the post-war international order. The two sides emphasise the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity, as well as advocate for dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation in addressing regional and global challenges, and underscore the need to avoid actions that may intensify tensions among countries.
The Chinese side appreciates Myanmar’s joining of the “Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative”. Both sides are ready to deepen cooperation under the Global Development Initiative framework to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China appreciates Myanmar’s joining of the Group of Friends of Global Governance and the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed).
The Myanmar side welcomes China’s initiative to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) to ensure AI development serves the common benefit. The Chinese side welcomes the Myanmar side’s positive consideration to join the WAICO to jointly promote global governance and international cooperation on AI.
Both sides agreed to strengthen China-ASEAN cooperation, working together to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home, and strive to promote a higher level of regional economic integration and build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future based on equality and mutually beneficial cooperation. Both countries reaffirm their commitment to promoting peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development in the region, advancing regional economic integration, narrowing development gaps, and contributing to an open and inclusive region.

Wang Yi visits Mongolia: A close neighbour is better than a distant relative

At the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Battsetseg Batmunkh, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi visited Mongolia from June 13 to 15.

Soon after his arrival in the capital Ulan Bator, Wang Yi met with Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa.

Khurelsukh Ukhnaa said that he is deeply honoured to have built a profound friendship and mutual trust with President Xi Jinping, maintaining close communication and jointly steering the continuous development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. The Mongolia-China relationship has become a model for inter-state relations in the region. The two sides have always understood and trusted each other, respected each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity while deepening mutually beneficial cooperation across various sectors, and the bilateral trade is expected to reach $20 billion this year. The vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping have played a vital role in safeguarding world peace and stability, serving the interests of people around the globe. Mongolia actively supports these major concepts and initiatives put forward by President Xi and stands ready to strengthen cooperation with China in regional and international affairs to jointly implement them.

Wang Yi stated that China and Mongolia, linked by mountains and rivers and sharing a common future, are permanent neighbours and comprehensive strategic partners. China has always put China-Mongolia relations at an important place in its neighbourhood diplomacy, and it has both the will and the capability to be a neighbour that Mongolia can rely on, a trustworthy friend, and a partner in accelerating its development. China respects Mongolia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the development path that Mongolia has chosen for itself. A close neighbour is better than a distant relative. China appreciates Mongolia’s decision to make developing ties with China the top priority of its foreign policy, which fully serves the fundamental interests of the Mongolian state and its people. China is willing to strengthen solidarity and coordination with Mongolia on multilateral platforms such as the trilateral cooperation among China, Russia and Mongolia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Together with other Global South countries, the two sides strive for self-strengthening through unity and promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system.

Wang Yi met with Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral on June 15.

Nyam-Osor Uchral stated that Mongolia and China have consistently respected each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and chosen paths of development. Mongolia firmly adheres to the one-China principle. He expressed the hope that both sides would introduce additional measures to facilitate trade, diversify trade structures, strengthen connectivity through infrastructure projects such as ports and railways, and expand cooperation in the mining sector.

Wang Yi stated that good-neighbourly friendship, solidarity, cooperation, and working together to create a better future represent the only correct choice for both sides. China highly appreciates Mongolia’s commitment to prioritising relations with China in its foreign policy and its support for China’s legitimate positions on issues concerning its core interests. Having both celebrated their centenary anniversaries, the Communist Party of China and the Mongolian People’s Party could further enhance exchanges on governance and development experience, thereby contributing to national development, improving people’s livelihoods, and deepening the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Wang Yi added that development and national revitalisation are shared goals of both China and Mongolia, while stronger cooperation reflects the common aspirations of both peoples. The two economies are highly complementary with mutual needs, presenting vast space for cooperation. China is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Mongolia, jointly advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and support Mongolia in making full use of three major engines for development, including bilateral cooperation mechanisms, China-Mongolia-Russia cooperation and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, in pursuing a modernisation path suited to its national conditions.

Wang Yi held talks with his Mongolian counterpart Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg on June 13.

Wang said that China has always upheld the principle that all countries, big or small, are equal. Guided by the Principle of Amity, Sincerity, Mutual Benefit and Inclusiveness in Neighbourhood Diplomacy, as well as the policy of forging friendship and partnership with its neighbours, China attaches high importance to ties with Mongolia in its neighbourhood diplomacy and actively promotes good-neighbourliness and friendly cooperation between the two countries. The China-Mongolia Treaty of Friendly Relations and Cooperation explicitly stipulates that both sides will adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and not allow any third country to use its territory to undermine the sovereignty and security of the other. This serves as an important safeguard for the sound development of bilateral relations.

He added that as fellow developing countries, China and Mongolia share broad common interests and similar policy stances on international and regional affairs. China supports Mongolia in continuing to make positive contributions to regional peace and development and welcomes its efforts to gain more growth drivers through bilateral cooperation, the trilateral cooperation among China, Russia and Mongolia, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). In the face of rampant unilateralism and rising protectionism, China has consistently advocated and practiced multilateralism and supports the United Nations in playing a central and leading role in international affairs. China stands ready to work with all countries, including Mongolia, to promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system.

Batmunkh Battsetseg said that Mongolia-China relations have reached a high level of comprehensive strategic partnership. Cooperation across various sectors is thriving, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries. The two sides have always respected and trusted each other, engaging in equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, making their relationship an exemplary model among neighbouring countries. On all issues concerning China’s core interests, the Mongolian side understands and supports China’s position.

Mongolia attaches great importance to China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and looks forward to strengthening the alignment of development strategies with China. Mongolia hopes to expand trade and investment, enhance connectivity, and deepen cooperation in areas such as critical minerals and ecological governance. Mongolia values multilateral mechanisms including the trilateral cooperation among China, Russia and Mongolia, the SCO, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and it stands ready to play a greater role in regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Last month, during its rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council, China convened a high-level meeting and put forward important proposals on reinvigorating the UN and reforming and improving global governance. Mongolia highly commends these initiatives and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China to jointly uphold multilateralism and safeguard the U.N.-centred international system.

The two foreign ministers also held a joint press conference.

Both sides stated that, in the face of a volatile international landscape and increasingly prominent global challenges, China and Mongolia should stand together through thick and thin, unite as one, and firmly remain good neighbours and partners built on mutual trust and support. The two sides should continue to work hand in hand towards building a China-Mongolia community with a shared future characterised by peaceful coexistence, mutual assistance, and win-win cooperation.

Wang Yi noted that good neighbours should visit each other frequently, and good partners should offer mutual assistance. The Chinese side supports Mongolia in developing its economy and improving people’s livelihoods and welcomes Mongolia to ride on the express train of China’s development. According to international institutions, every one-percentage-point increase in China’s economic growth contributes to a four percent increase in Mongolia’s exports and a 0.6 percent increase in Mongolia’s economic growth, which demonstrates the strong complementarity and close economic ties between the two countries. The second cross-border railway linking China and Mongolia is currently under construction and is expected to become another major corridor for connectivity between the two countries. China remains a trustworthy and reliable partner for Mongolia and will continue to extend support whenever Mongolia needs it most. To help Mongolia cope with the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, the Chinese side has decided to urgently supply one million doses of vaccines to the Mongolian side. Furthermore, the China-aided shantytown renovation project in Mongolia has been completed and handed over. Positive progress has also been made in projects closely related to the Mongolian people’s well-being, such as the China-Mongolia Heads of State Sports Centre and the Erdeneburen hydropower plant. Wang Yi said that during this visit to Mongolia he would also have the opportunity to attend the completion ceremony of the Ulan Bator Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will help ensure safe water access for the citizens of Ulan Bator.

Modernisation, he added, is a shared objective for both China and Mongolia. The two sides will focus on the present while looking to the long term, promote the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with Mongolia’s Steppe Road development strategy, deepen exchanges on governance experience, explore opportunities for cooperation in emerging sectors, and jointly pursue modernisation paths suited to their respective national conditions.

Wang Yi added that both China and Mongolia are constructive forces for global peace, stability, and development. The two countries are willing to strengthen coordination in regional and international affairs and work together to safeguard the common interests of developing nations. China welcomes Mongolia’s active role in international and regional affairs and supports its hosting of the 17th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, to be held in August this year.

The two sides also agreed to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, safeguard the victorious outcomes of World War II, oppose all forms of fascism and militarism, and reject any words or actions that seek to distort or reverse the course of history. In addition, both countries agreed to enhance coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to jointly promote regional stability, development, and cooperation.

In a joint press communique both sides further reaffirmed that they will not join any military or political alliance directed against the other, will not conclude treaties with any third country that undermine the sovereignty and security of the other, and will not allow any third country to use their territory to harm the sovereignty and security of the other.

They agreed to strengthen alignment of their development strategies, advance projects under the frameworks of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and Mongolia’s Steppe Road Program, expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various sectors, and further enhance the scale, quality, and level of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

China highly appreciated Mongolia’s role in hosting the Ulan Bator Dialogue on Northeast Asian Security in June.

The two sides agreed to oppose and condemn all forms of fascism and militarism, jointly safeguard world peace and security, and uphold international fairness and justice. They spoke highly of the achievements of trilateral cooperation among China, Mongolia, and Russia, expressing their firm belief that the implementation of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor plan plays an important role in promoting regional prosperity and stability.

The two sides also emphasised that the growing political and economic influence of multilateral mechanisms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), APEC, and BRICS has contributed significantly to advancing regional cooperation.

Lao leader: China is the leading banner for socialism and the Global South

General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) Thongloun Sisoulith paid a state visit to China from June 2-6 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Sisoulith began his visit in Hangzhou, capital of east China’s Zhejiang Province.

On the afternoon of June 5, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President Xi Jinping held talks with Sisoulith at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry report, Xi Jinping once again congratulated Thongloun Sisoulith on his re-election as General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and President of Laos. Xi noted that China has always regarded Laos as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy, firmly supports Laos in pursuing a socialist path suited to its own national conditions, and stands ready to work with the Lao side to carry forward traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and enhance solidarity and coordination. China is willing to work with Laos to achieve a new leap in bilateral ties and build an all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future in the new era.

Xi Jinping put forward four points for advancing China-Laos relations and building a higher-standard, higher-quality and higher-level bilateral community with a shared future:

Keep to the socialist path. The two sides should jointly safeguard the socialist system and the leadership of communist parties, maintain close strategic communication, implement the new five-year cooperation plan between the two parties and deepen exchanges on governance experience.
Consolidate the foundation of mutually beneficial cooperation. China is willing to strengthen strategic alignment with Laos and foster new growth drivers for cooperation. The two countries should capitalise on the advantages of the China-Laos Railway as a golden transport corridor. They should deepen cooperation in traditional sectors such as agriculture and electricity while expanding collaboration in emerging areas including artificial intelligence and the digital economy, and China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity to Laos.
Strengthen traditional friendship between the two peoples. Taking the Year of China-Laos Friendship as an opportunity, the two sides should expand cooperation in culture, education, health care and local exchanges, make good use of their shared revolutionary heritage, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
Improve coordination on foreign policies. China appreciates Laos for adhering to the one-China principle, supporting the four major global initiatives, taking an active part in the Belt and Road cooperation, as well as firmly supporting China’s core interests and major concerns. China looks forward to Laos playing a greater role in regional and international affairs. The two sides should strengthen multilateral coordination and safeguard the common interests of the Global South.

Thongloun Sisoulith stated this visit carries great significance, as it is his first official overseas visit since his re-election as General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and President of Laos, which also falls on the 65th anniversary of bilateral ties and the Year of Laos-China Friendship. The Lao side expresses sincere gratitude for China’s long-standing support and assistance to Laos.

China now stands as the leading banner for the socialist system and developing countries, and a mainstay in safeguarding world peace and promoting the building of a multipolar world. China’s development has provided valuable experience for the vast number of developing countries, including Laos.

After the talks, the two sides jointly witnessed the signing of cooperation documents covering areas such as inter-party exchanges, people’s wellbeing, finance, customs, trade, youth exchanges and media.

The KPL Lao News Agency also carried a report of the meeting.

The Lao leader also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the same day.

Li said that China is willing to enhance strategic communication and close collaboration with Laos and promote the building of the China-Laos community with a shared future.

Noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Li said China and Laos have always relied on each other and offered mutual assistance over the years. Especially in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and countries, China-Laos relations have ushered in the best period in history.

He added that China is willing to enhance the alignment of development strategies with Laos and fully unleash the positive effects of China’s zero-tariff policy. China will continue to scale up bilateral trade, further advance cooperation on the China-Laos railway, accelerate the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, and expand cooperation in energy and mineral resources, artificial intelligence, the digital economy and other fields to deliver more practical results.

Thongloun expressed gratitude to China for the valuable support and assistance it has provided over a long period of time, adding that Laos will firmly adhere to the one-China principle and firmly support China’s core interests on issues such as Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong.

The Lao News Agency added that both sides welcomed the growing cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, energy and connectivity, including the recent inauguration of the 500-kilovolt Laos-China power transmission line.

Thongloun Sisoulith also met with Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

During his visit to Zhejiang prior to his arrival in Beijing, Sisoulith visited Yucun Village in Anji County. This is where President Xi Jinping first advanced the concept that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” in August 2005. (An article reproduced below provides detailed background on this.)

Prior to his high-level meetings in Beijing, on June 4, Sisoulith visited the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China as well as the Beijing Aerospace City, where he was briefed on China’s latest achievements in aerospace science and technology.

He also met with former Chinese ambassadors and Chinese volunteer veterans who supported Laos during its national liberation struggle and participated in road construction projects in northern Laos during the 1960s and 1970s. The meeting provided an opportunity for the Lao leader to express appreciation for their contributions to the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Laos and China.

In a special article written for the 65th anniversary of China-Laos diplomatic relations, Thongloun Sisoulith wrote that: “Regardless of how the international landscape has evolved, the Laos-China friendship has remained steadfast, resilient, and ever stronger, demonstrating the ideological values, and the remarkably stable and vibrant strategic cooperation that characterise the Laos-China relations.

“Guided by the spirit of the ‘Four Goods’, namely good neighbours, good friends, good comrades, and good partners, our two countries elevated relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in 2009. This important milestone laid a solid political foundation conducive to expanding cooperation across all fields. In 2017, our two Parties and States further enhanced cooperation and established the Laos-China Community of Shared Future, opening a new chapter of deeper solidarity, greater mutual trust and closer strategic coordination.

“Today, the Laos-China relationship stands at its highest point in history, serving as a model of equality, mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation…

“The Lao PDR reaffirms its unwavering commitment to closely cooperate with the People’s Republic of China, in supporting efforts to coordinate comprehensive joint development strategies, advance mutual development, deepen reform, and broaden international cooperation, and jointly pursuing the path of socialist development in accordance with the respective national conditions.”

On June 4, China’s People’s Daily released a video highlighting the deep friendly ties between China and Laos, told largely through the eyes of successive generations of the Lao Pholsena family, who have long maintained a personal friendship with Xi Jinping, since the children of the family studied at Beijing Bayi School in the 1960s, where they came to know and befriend their schoolmate Xi, inaugurating a friendship that has lasted for over half a century.

Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port and the complete collapse of the “debt trap” narrative

For years, Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port was the textbook example of what Western politicians called Chinese “debt-trap diplomacy” – the claim that Beijing lures poor countries into unpayable loans and then seizes their strategic infrastructure. In the following article, Friends of Socialist China co-editor Carlos Martinez shows how comprehensively that story has collapsed.

Drawing on studies by Chatham House, the Johns Hopkins economist Deborah Bräutigam and Sri Lankan officials themselves, Carlos sets out the facts: the port was a Sri Lankan initiative, not a Chinese one; Washington and Delhi were asked to fund it and declined; and Chinese loans made up just 9 percent of Sri Lanka’s government debt. As the country’s then ports minister put it, “We thank China for arranging this investor to save us from the debt trap.” Sri Lanka’s debt crisis “was made on Wall Street, not in Beijing.”

Far from a predatory white elephant, Hambantota has become one of the fastest-growing trans-shipment hubs in the Indian Ocean, drawing the largest foreign investment in Sri Lankan history. The real debt trap, the article argues, is sprung by the IMF, the World Bank and Western bond markets – and the campaign against the Belt and Road is “a blatant act of self-projection.”

New phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor aims to bring new opportunities to local communities and every family

As part of the Beijing activities marking the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, the China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and the Meeting of the CPEC [China Pakistan Economic Corridor] Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism, hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (IDCPC), was held on May 24 under the theme “Jointly Building a China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era: Political Parties in Action”.

IDCPC Minister Liu Haixing and Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, delivered keynote speeches. The event was attended by about 140 participants, including leaders of 12 major Pakistani political parties, along with representatives from Pakistani think tanks, media and social organisations, and representatives from Chinese ministries, commissions, enterprises, media and academic circles.

The CPC stands ready to work with all major Pakistani political parties to build political consensus, make full use of platforms such as the China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum, and conduct regular consultations on major issues in bilateral relations to continuously consolidate the political foundation for bilateral strategic cooperation. It is necessary to build development consensus, leverage the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism to advance high-quality practical cooperation and ensure cooperation outcomes benefit all Pakistani people.

Pakistan Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, who is also secretary-general of the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) said that CPEC, a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, has helped reshape Pakistan’s economic landscape over the past decade and is now moving into a more demanding phase. Its focus is shifting beyond infrastructure-led growth and toward industrialisation, innovation, sustainability, agricultural modernisation, and people-centred development — areas that require stronger planning, policy continuity, and institutional coordination. China’s development offers useful references for that transition.

Syed Hussain Tariq, a senior leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), said CPEC 2.0 will require more than project-level cooperation, calling on Pakistani political parties to help build the policy understanding, social support, and political momentum needed for the corridor’s future development. He said that the delegation’s visit to Beijing has offered a closer look at China’s push to develop new quality productive forces and its emphasis on making artificial intelligence serve ordinary people, including farmers. Such exchanges, he said, have offered inspiration for Pakistan as it seeks to turn CPEC into broader gains for society.

Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail said Pakistan-China cooperation should be measured not only by the projects completed, but also by whether ordinary people can see real changes in their daily lives. Stronger public trust depends on tangible benefits, especially for young people, he said, citing scholarships, support for public universities, and cooperation in digital connectivity, artificial intelligence, and green technology as ways to bring new opportunities to local communities.

Amir Chishti, a senior leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (Pakistan) (MQM-P), said CPEC’s future development should place greater emphasis on local empowerment and youth employment. Industrial projects and job creation, he said, can improve living standards, strengthen people’s sense of ownership, and make the corridor more socially sustainable. The second phase of CPEC is therefore not only an economic necessity, but also a social and strategic one, as its success will depend on whether local communities can share in the prosperity it brings.

The question of whether development can reach ordinary families also shaped Malik Ahmad Khan’s view of China’s poverty reduction record. The speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab said China’s success in lifting nearly 800 million people out of poverty is one of the greatest achievements in human history. For Pakistan, cooperation with China should not only be about learning how to build, but also about ensuring that every family truly benefits from development.

On the same day, the Pakistan delegation also met with IDCPC vice-minister Sun Haiyan.

The Pakistan side spoke highly of the fruitful outcomes achieved over the 75 years since the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations, noting that developing friendly relations with China has long been the cross-party consensus in Pakistan. In recent years, the development of CPEC has given a strong boost to Pakistan’s economic and social development, including the development of Balochistan Province. All political parties in Pakistan hope to continue strengthening inter-party exchanges with the CPC and contribute the strength of political parties to the development of bilateral relations.

Sun also met with the delegation of the Punjab Provincial Assembly of Pakistan led by its speaker Malik Ahmad Khan.

Malik said, China is Pakistan’s most reliable all-weather strategic partner, and friendship with China is a cross-party consensus in Pakistan. CPEC has transformed the lives of the Pakistani people. Punjab hopes to take the opportunity of the Upgraded Version 2.0 of CPEC to deepen exchanges and cooperation with China in agriculture, artificial intelligence, youth and other fields, and ensure the enduring friendship between the two countries from generation to generation.

The following articles were originally published on the website of the IDCPC and by China Daily.

China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and Meeting of CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism Held

Beijing, May 24th (IDCPC) — China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and Meeting of CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism, hosted by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), was held here today under the theme “Jointly Building a China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era: Political Parties in Action”. Liu Haixing, Minister of the IDCPC, and Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, attended and delivered keynote speeches. The event was attended by about 140 participants, including Ahsan Iqbal, Secretary-General of the PML-N and Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, leaders of 12 major Pakistani political parties, as well as representatives from Pakistani think tanks, media and social organizations, and representatives from Chinese ministries, commissions, enterprises, media and academic circles.

Liu noted, over the 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Pakistan have always stood side by side through thick and thin, setting an example of political mutual trust, mutual benefit, win-win cooperation, friendship between the two peoples and multilateral coordination between countries with different ideologies and systems. Since the beginning of the new era, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and Pakistani leaders, the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership has been continuously deepened, advancing steadily toward the goal of building a China-Pakistan community with a shared future. Both countries are currently at a crucial stage of development and rejuvenation. The two sides should implement the latest important consensus reached by the two countries’ leaders, seize the opportunities of the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, promote the upgrading of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), maintain close communication and coordination on major international and regional hotspot issues, and jointly build a China-Pakistan community with a shared future featuring stronger political mutual trust, closer economic ties, deeper security cooperation and a firmer public opinion foundation, contributing more to safeguarding world peace and stability.

Liu said, political parties should play an active role in providing ideological guidance and building consensus for the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future. The CPC stands ready to work with all major Pakistani political parties to build political consensus, make full use of platforms such as the China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum, and conduct regular consultations on major issues in bilateral relations to continuously consolidate the political foundation for bilateral strategic cooperation. We need to build development consensus, leverage the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism to advance high-quality practical cooperation and ensure cooperation outcomes benefit all Pakistani people. We need to foster security consensus to support deeper cooperation in counter-terrorism, security and defense, and build social consensus to tell stories of China-Pakistan friendship well, expand exchanges on areas such as think tanks, youth, women, and culture, and launch “small and beautiful” livelihood projects to consolidate public support for China-Pakistan friendship.

Dar noted, Pakistan and China share a close, brotherly relationship. Inter-party exchanges are an important part of bilateral relations. Over the past 75 years since diplomatic ties were established, exchanges and cooperation between political parties of both countries have never been interrupted despite changes in the international landscape. Maintaining and developing the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership is a cross-party consensus in Pakistan. The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and China-Pakistan solidarity and cooperation serve as an important stabilizing force in the region. The two countries maintain high-level communication and coordination on international and regional issues. Pakistan highly appreciates the major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, which reflect his far-sighted vision. Pakistan will firmly support and actively participate in these initiatives. Pakistan stands ready to further consolidate strategic and political mutual trust with China, deepen practical cooperation across all fields, jointly build an upgraded version of the CPEC, promote exchanges at all levels including political parties, legislatures, media and youth, implement the action plan for building a China-Pakistan community with a shared future, and inject more stability and positive energy into the region and the world.

Foreign guests attending the meeting noted, the Pakistan-China friendship has stood the test of international changes and remains unbreakable. A firm policy of developing friendly relationship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign and development strategies. The China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum provides an important platform for both countries to implement the important consensus of the two countries’ leaders, enhance mutual trust and build consensus. The CPEC has provided significant support for improving Pakistan’s economic and social landscape and is a jewel in the Belt and Road Initiative. China’s 15th Five-Year Plan is highly aligned with URAAN Pakistan Program. Pakistan stands ready to strengthen inter-party exchanges and cooperation, promote the alignment of national development strategies through the political party channel, provide political support for the upgraded version of the CPEC, and strive for more outcomes in the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to better benefit the two peoples.

Participants also exchanged views on topics including consolidating high-level political mutual trust, deepening high-level cooperation, and promoting high-level people-to-people exchanges.

Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the IDCPC, chaired the meeting.

The meeting adopted the Joint Initiative of Chinese and Pakistani Political Parties to Join Hands to Build a China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.

Party exchanges spur evolution of China-Pakistan cooperation

May 25 (China Daily) – Pakistani political leaders said party-to-party exchanges with China are gaining greater significance as the two countries mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and seek to advance the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor into a new phase focused on industry, technology, agriculture, and people’s livelihoods.

Speaking at the China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and Meeting of CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism, they said cooperation with China now goes beyond infrastructure and trade to include lessons from China’s long-term planning, policy continuity, poverty reduction, and people-centered development.

The event, hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, was attended by about 140 people from China and Pakistan. Liu Haixing, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, said the two countries’ political parties should deepen exchanges, strengthen strategic coordination, and build a consensus on development.

China would work with Pakistan to upgrade CPEC with high standards and bring more tangible benefits to the Pakistani people through practical cooperation, he said.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said party-to-party exchanges have been a key pillar of bilateral cooperation over the past 75 years, helping the relationship withstand changes in the international environment and domestic political cycles.

The all-weather strategic cooperative partnership enjoys cross-party support in Pakistan, he said, adding that both countries attach importance to the people, social development, and economic growth. China’s achievements, Dar said, have been underpinned by policy consistency, the hard work of its people, and zero tolerance for corruption.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said CPEC, a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, has helped reshape Pakistan’s economic landscape over the past decade and is now moving into a more demanding phase.

Its focus, he said, is shifting beyond infrastructure-led growth and toward industrialization, innovation, sustainability, agricultural modernization, and people-centered development — areas that require stronger planning, policy continuity, and institutional coordination.

China’s development offers useful references for that transition, Iqbal said, adding that Pakistani political parties, provincial governments, and public institutions can deepen exchanges with their Chinese counterparts under the CPEC framework on poverty alleviation, digital governance, urban planning, public services, and local development.

Syed Hussain Tariq, a senior leader of the Pakistan People’s Party, said CPEC 2.0 will require more than project-level cooperation, calling on Pakistani political parties to help build the policy understanding, social support, and political momentum needed for the corridor’s future development.

Tariq said that the delegation’s visits to Beijing have offered a closer look at China’s push to develop new quality productive forces and its emphasis on making artificial intelligence serve ordinary people, including farmers. Such exchanges, he said, have offered inspiration for Pakistan as it seeks to turn CPEC into broader gains for society.

Stronger public trust depends on tangible benefits, especially for young people, he said, citing scholarships, support for public universities, and cooperation in digital connectivity, artificial intelligence, and green technology as ways to bring new opportunities to local communities.

Amir Chishti, a senior leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, said CPEC’s future development should place greater emphasis on local empowerment and youth employment. Industrial projects and job creation, he said, can improve living standards, strengthen people’s sense of ownership, and make the corridor more socially sustainable.

The second phase of CPEC is therefore not only an economic necessity, but also a social and strategic one, he said, as its success will depend on whether local communities can share in the prosperity it brings.

The question of whether development can reach ordinary families also shaped Malik Ahmad Khan’s view of China’s poverty reduction record. The speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab said China’s success in lifting nearly 800 million people out of poverty is one of the greatest achievements in human history, achieved not through slogans, but through generations of persistent and practical effort.

Malik said his visit to Beigou village showed how a once underdeveloped community had achieved prosperity within a single generation. For Pakistan, cooperation with China should not only be about learning how to build, but also about ensuring that every family truly benefits from development, he said.

Ahmad Mujtaba Chaudhary, a member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, said his first visit to China replaced a childhood image shaped by films with the reality of a country that had eliminated extreme poverty.

That achievement was not a cold statistic, but “a living testimony of a civilization”, he said, adding that China’s development showed what people can achieve when they work together toward a shared goal.

Sun Haiyan Meets with a Delegation of Political Parties of Pakistan

Beijing, May 24th (IDCPC) — Sun Haiyan, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today on the morning with a delegation of political parties of Pakistan.

Sun said, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan 75 years ago, the two countries have withstood numerous trials in history and forged an ironclad friendship. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping and Pakistani leaders, the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership has advanced steadily. China stands ready to take the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to work with all political parties in Pakistan to deliver on the important consensus reached by the two countries’ leaders, enhance exchanges and interactions, enable China-Pakistan cooperation to benefit more people, and promote the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

The Pakistani side spoke highly of the fruitful outcomes achieved over the 75 years since the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations, noting that developing friendly relations with China has long been the cross-party consensus in Pakistan. In recent years, the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has given a strong boost to Pakistan’s economic and social development, including the development of Balochistan Province. It is expected that the two countries will seize the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations to further deepen exchanges and cooperation in infrastructure, new energy, digital economy, agriculture and fisheries, as well as education and youth affairs. All political parties in Pakistan hope to continue strengthening inter-party exchanges with the CPC and contribute the strength of political parties to the development of bilateral relations.

Sun Haiyan Meets with a Delegation of the Punjab Provincial Assembly of Pakistan

Beijing, May 24th (IDCPC) — Sun Haiyan, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with a delegation of the Punjab Provincial Assembly of Pakistan led by Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Speaker of the Punjab Provincial Assembly.

Sun noted, over the 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, bilateral relations have maintained high-level development under the strategic guidance of the two countries’ leaders. The CPC stands ready to take the 75th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations as an opportunity to work with Pakistan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and promote exchanges and cooperation between relevant Chinese provinces and Punjab in agriculture, artificial intelligence, youth and other fields. She also emphasized the CPC’s readiness to maintain close contacts with political parties in Pakistan including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, deepen mutual learning, and contribute to building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

Malik said, China is Pakistan’s most reliable all-weather strategic partner, and friendship with China is a cross-party consensus in Pakistan. Under the wise leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping, China has maintained long-term political stability and lifted nearly 100 million rural people out of absolute poverty, creating a remarkable “China model”. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has transformed the lives of the Pakistani people. Punjab hopes to take the opportunity of the Upgraded Version 2.0 of the CPEC to deepen exchanges and cooperation with China in agriculture, artificial intelligence, youth and other fields, and ensure the enduring friendship between the two countries from generation to generation.

Largest ever gathering of SCO family held in Tianjin

On August 31-September 1, immediately prior to China’s grand celebration of the 80^th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the north China coastal city of Tianjin, near to Beijing, hosted the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) followed by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus meeting.

These were the biggest gatherings to date in the SCO’s quarter century history, drawing more than 20 heads of state or government, along with the heads of 10 international organisations, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

As we previously reported, at the latter meeting, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), which aims at establishing “a more just and equitable global governance system and advancing toward a community with a shared future for humanity.”

Presiding over the SCO Summit, President Xi delivered an important statement entitled, “Staying True to SCO Founding Mission and Ushering in a Better Future.”

He said that the SCO has established itself as a model for a new type of international relations. The organisation was the first to set up a military confidence-building mechanism in its member states’ border areas and the first to take multilateral actions against the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, thereby maintaining peace and tranquility in the region. The SCO was the first to launch Belt and Road cooperation, providing a robust driving force for development and prosperity and further improving the multidimensional connectivity network across the region. The SCO was the first to conclude a treaty on long-term good-neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation, and proclaim the member states’ commitment to forge lasting friendship and refrain from hostilities, bringing the hearts of the peoples closer to each other. The SCO was the first to put forth a vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit as an effort to practice true multilateralism, thus becoming a proactive force for world peace and development.

President Xi emphasised that the SCO has grown into the world’s largest regional organisation, and its international influence and appeal are increasing day by day. Looking ahead, the member states should carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, forge ahead with solid steps, and better tap into the potential of the SCO in the following five ways:

Seeking common ground while putting aside differences. SCO member states should respect their differences, maintain strategic communication, build up consensus, and strengthen solidarity and collaboration.

Pursuing mutual benefit and win-win results. SCO member states need to better align their development strategies and promote the high-quality implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, improve trade and investment facilitation, enhance cooperation in such areas as energy, infrastructure, green industry, the digital economy, scientific and technological innovation, and artificial intelligence, so as to march toward modernisation hand in hand by bringing out the best in one another and working together for a shared future.

Championing openness and inclusiveness. SCO member states need to enhance mutual understanding and friendship through people-to-people exchanges, firmly support one another in economic cooperation, and jointly cultivate a garden of civilisations in which all cultures flourish in prosperity and harmony through mutual enlightenment.

Upholding fairness and justice. SCO member states must promote a correct historical perspective on World War II, oppose the Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation and bullying practices, safeguard the UN-centred international system, support the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, and make the global governance system more just and equitable.

Striving for real results and high efficiency. SCO member states should continuously promote the reform of the Organisation, increase resources input and enhance capacity building to improve its institutional structure and make its decision-making more scientific and its actions more efficient, and provide stronger underpinnings for security and economic cooperation among them.

The leaders of the member states signed and issued the Tianjin Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, approved the SCO Development Strategy to 2035, released a statement on the victory of World War II and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, a statement on supporting the multilateral trading system, and adopted 24 outcome documents covering enhanced cooperation in security, economy, people-to-people ties, and organisational development.

China and Africa consolidate dynamic partnership

On June 11, 2025, the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in Changsha, capital of China’s Hunan Province.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the opening ceremony and read out the congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping. Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso of the Republic of the Congo, the current African co-chair of the FOCAC, read out the congratulatory letter from President Denis Sassou Nguesso.

Xi Jinping pointed out that since its establishment 25 years ago, the FOCAC has strongly driven the flourishing development of China-Africa cooperation and become a model for solidarity and cooperation in the Global South. Through the entry into agreements on economic partnership for shared development, China implements zero-tariff measures of granting 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of tariff lines, and facilitates greater access for exports from Africa’s least developed countries to China.

President Denis Sassou Nguesso pledged to make all-out efforts and work unwaveringly with President Xi Jinping to make greater progress in building an Africa-China community with a shared future and to enhance the well-being of the people on both sides. As the African co-chair of the FOCAC, the Republic of the Congo will work with China and other Global South countries to strengthen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, jointly build a multipolar world free from unilateralism and protectionism, and usher in a new era of universally beneficial and inclusive globalisation.

Wang Yi said that since its establishment 25 years ago, the FOCAC has grown rapidly, driving China-Africa relations to achieve leapfrog development and ushering in their best period in history. The FOCAC Beijing Summit held in September last year marked the beginning of a new journey for jointly building a China-Africa community with a shared future. Guided by the consensus reached at the summit, China and Africa have actively implemented the ten partnership actions and achieved new, encouraging outcomes. Strategic mutual trust between China and Africa has become stronger, practical cooperation has been increasingly deepened, and multilateral coordination has become closer. Facts have proved that China-Africa cooperation has a solid foundation, extensive demands, and enormous potential, and is brimming with vigour and vitality. When China and Africa stand shoulder to shoulder, the development and revitalisation of the Global South will be more promising, and international fairness and justice will be more guaranteed.

The Chinese Foreign Minister emphasised that China and Africa, as the largest developing country and the continent home to the largest number of developing countries, together form the backbone of the Global South. The more complex and turbulent the international landscape becomes, the more imperative it is for China and Africa to uphold solidarity and self-reliance, stand firmly on the right side of history, actively steer the course of the times, and respond to uncertainties in the world with the stability and resilience of China-Africa relations.

Chinese solidarity in Panama’s long struggle for sovereignty against US imperialism

Following threats by the Trump administration to illegally seize the Panama Canal, Panama’s right wing government, following a visit by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has partially acceded to US pressure by deciding to withdraw from its participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

In a prompt reaction, on February 7, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhao Zhiyuan summoned Miguel Humberto Lecaro Barcenas, Panama’s ambassador to China, to lodge solemn representations over Panama’s decision, to which the Chinese side expressed deep regret.

More than 150 countries actively participate in the BRI, with achievements benefiting the people of various nations, including Panama, Zhao said. “Any attempts to reverse course on the BRI and go against the expectations of the Chinese and Panamanian peoples do not align with the vital interests of Panama.”

China respects Panama’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and advocates for equality among countries of all sizes, mutual respect, and credibility in commitments, Zhao stressed. China firmly opposes the United States wantonly undermining China-Panama relations and discrediting and undermining cooperation under the BRI through pressure and threats.

Lecaro said that Panama values its relationship with China and will promptly report to its government.

That same day, at a regular Foreign Ministry press conference, spokesperson Lin Jian said that China firmly opposes the United States’ actions to smear and sabotage Belt and Road cooperation through pressure and coercion and deeply regrets that Panama will not renew the Memorandum of Understanding on BRI cooperation with China.

China supports Panama’s sovereignty over the Panama Canal and is committed to upholding the Canal’s status as a permanently neutral international waterway, he added. China has never participated in managing or operating the Canal, and never ever has China interfered. The accusation that China has control over the Canal is totally groundless. “The world is not blind to the truth as to who is keeping the Canal neutral and thriving and who keeps threatening to ‘take back’ the Canal.”

It is highly unlikely that this concession by Panama will have the effect of appeasing the Trump administration. If anything, it is likely to further turn the screws on the small Central American country.

In an article published by People’s Dispatch, and also republished by the Morning Star, Tings Chak noted that: “Trump’s rhetoric fits neatly into his vocal expansionist and imperialist ambitions, from annexing Greenland and Canada to ‘taking back’ the Panama Canal, which itself was a product of US interventionism and imperialist interest in the region.”

Tings adds: “Panamanian sovereignty over the Canal Zone became the centre of decades of struggle, coming to a head in January 1964, when students attempted to raise a Panamanian flag there in protest of US imperialism. They were met with brutal repression, and several students were wounded and killed. It wasn’t until the leadership of Omar Torrijo that Panama was finally able to gain its control over the Canal Zone, solidified in the Torrijos-Carter treaties in 1977. As an important victory for Panama’s national sovereignty, the treaties stated that the US would relinquish control of the area in 1979, with the transference of control completed by 1999 – now once again being threatened again by the provocations of Trump’s administration.”

Responding to the events of January 1964, a wave of solidarity swept socialist China, with up to 20 million people taking part in militant anti-imperialist protests. In his statement of support, issued on January 12, 1964, Chairman Mao Zedong declared:

The heroic struggle now being waged by the people of Panama against US aggression and in defence of their national sovereignty is a great patriotic struggle. The Chinese people stand firmly on the side of the Panamanian people and fully support their just action in opposing the US aggressors and seeking to regain sovereignty over the Panama Canal Zone.

US imperialism is the most ferocious enemy of the people of the entire world.

It has not only committed the grave crime of aggression against the Panamanian people, and painstakingly and stubbornly plotted against socialist Cuba, but has continuously been plundering and oppressing the people of the Latin American countries and suppressing the national-democratic revolutionary struggles there.

Significantly, and fully in keeping with his consistent analytical framework when assessing international questions, Mao’s brief survey of the global struggle against US imperialism at the time, also stressed:

Even toward its allies in Western Europe, North America and Oceania, US imperialism is pursuing a policy of the law of the jungle, trying hard to trample them underfoot.

Mao’s statement also formed the centrepiece of a pamphlet published by China’s Foreign Languages Press, whose contents also included the texts of messages from Chinese leaders Liu Shaoqi, Zhou Enlai and Zhu De to their Panamanian counterparts. It should be noted that such messages were sent in the spirit of internationalism and without regard to the fact that Panama had yet to establish diplomatic relations with China. China consistently maintained its principled stand in support of Panama’s anti-imperialist struggle for sovereignty, through all its twists and turns, although bilateral diplomatic relations were not established until 2017.

The following articles are republished from the Xinhua News Agency, People’s Dispatch and the Marxist Internet Archive (MIA).

China lodges solemn representations to Panama over withdrawal from BRI cooperation with China

BEIJING, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) — Assistant Foreign Minister Zhao Zhiyuan on Friday summoned Miguel Humberto Lecaro Barcenas, Panama’s ambassador to China, to lodge solemn representations over Panama’s decision to not renew the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation with China on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Panama recently announced the termination of the Memorandum of Understanding on the BRI, to which the Chinese side expressed deep regret, Zhao said.

Under the framework of the BRI, pragmatic cooperation between China and Panama has rapidly developed across various sectors and achieved a series of fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to Panama and its people, Zhao noted.

China respects Panama’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and advocates for equality among countries of all sizes, mutual respect, and credibility in commitments, Zhao stressed.

Panama: Trump’s testing ground for his new Monroe Doctrine

In the opinion piece below, Yuan Sha, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, reports on Donald Trump’s outlandish threat to “take back” the Panama Canal. She notes that the threat “reveals Trump’s hidden agenda to resurrect the infamous Monroe Doctrine” and that, “eying the geostrategic importance of the canal, Trump wants to renege on the agreements and regain US control of the canal”.

Trump and his cronies have justified their increasingly aggressive comments by claiming that China is “operating the canal” and that this compromises US national security. While China is the second largest user of the canal, Yuan Sha points out that “China does not participate in the management and operation of the canal and has never interfered in its affairs”.

Wielding the threat to “take back” the canal – that is, to invade a sovereign country – is a clear violation of international law. Unfortunately it seems this threat has already extracted a concession from the Panamanian government, which has announced its intention to withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative.

As the author notes, “Trump’s bullying rhetoric on Panama has sent shockwaves across the world, revealing the administration’s penchant to revive the Monroe Doctrine which once provided the pretext for prolonged U.S. military, diplomatic and economic interventions. This is bound to cause more tensions in the region and beyond, eventually disrupting the international order.”

Since returning to the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to “take back” the Panama Canal, alleging – falsely – that it is operated by China. The outlandish threat actually reveals Trump’s hidden agenda to resurrect the infamous Monroe Doctrine, articulated in 1823 to curb Europe’s expansion and promote America’s commercial and security interests, as a pathway to achieve the “Golden Age of America.”

As the new U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio begins his first official trip abroad to Central America, including a stop in Panama, there is worldwide concern about Trump’s end goal, what coercive tactics he might use, and whether he would succeed in bullying the region into giving him what he wants. These questions are critical in assessing the nature of Trump 2.0 foreign policy and its challenges to the international order.

Trump’s outlandish claims

The Panama Canal is a key strategic waterway in Central America linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Up to 14,000 ships pass through the canal each year, accounting for around five percent of global maritime trade.

The U.S. used to control the canal from the early 20th century until the end of 1999, after which it handed over control of the canal to the Panama government in accordance with the treaties signed between the Carter administration and Panama in the 1970s. But now, eying the geostrategic importance of the canal, Trump wants to renege on the agreements and regain U.S. control of the canal.

To justify this, he has lambasted the canal being “foolishly given to Panama,” accusing Panama of charging U.S. ships “exorbitant” fees to use the waterway. He is also falsely claiming that China is “operating the canal,” and cites national security as the necessity for an American takeover.

Trump’s assertion to “take back” the Panama Canal is effectively an infringement on Panama’s sovereignty and goes against international law. Panama has owned and administered the canal since 1999. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has rejected Trump’s claim as “nonsense,” saying the canal “was not a gift” from the U.S.

Trump’s claim about China is also outright disinformation. China undoubtedly is the second largest user of the canal, following the U.S., and a major investor in infrastructure in Panama as Panama is the first Latin American country to join the Belt and Road Initiative. But as the Panama government and China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have clarified, China does not participate in the management and operation of the canal and has never interfered in its affairs.

Trump’s outlandish claims actually reflect his heightened concern over China’s growing investment in Panama. As the Trump 2.0 administration is ready to escalate the “great power competition” with China around the globe, the Panama Canal, not surprisingly, has become a new flashpoint.

What could Trump do?

The question is how serious Trump’s bombastic rhetoric to regain control of the canal is and what he might do to achieve that end.

Trump has hinted at taking it back by force. He could cite the 1977 Neutrality Treaty with Panama which stipulates that the U.S. shall remain permanently neutral, but it reserves the right to defend any threat to the canal’s neutrality by using military force. This outright threat to use military force is regarded as bluff to exact concessions from Panama.

Trump is also likely to use tariffs as a coercive tool. He might repeat the successful maneuver in pressuring Colombia to accept the flights carrying Colombians deported from the U.S. by threatening to impose 25 percent tariff. Trump’s goal is to force the Panama government to curb its engagements with China as well as regain U.S. control over Panama.

Trump has the support of the Republican-controlled Congress. Republican senators recently introduced a resolution, calling on the government of Panama to cut its political and economic ties with China and Chinese businesses. Republican representatives have also introduced a bill in the House to authorize the president to enter into negotiations to acquire the canal from Panama. These legislative moves will further empower Trump’s brazen actions on this matter.

Trump’s new Monroe Doctrine

Trump’s bullying rhetoric on Panama has sent shockwaves across the world, revealing the administration’s penchant to revive the Monroe Doctrine which once provided the pretext for prolonged U.S. military, diplomatic and economic interventions.

In fact, Trump wanted to resuscitate the doctrine in his first administration itself. In September 2018, he declared in the United Nations General Assembly, “It has been the formal policy of our country since President Monroe that we reject the interference of foreign nations in this hemisphere and in our own affairs.” He also expressed his admiration for President Theodore Roosevelt, who seized the Panama Canal and added the famous “Roosevelt Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine, stating that the U.S. had the right to intervene in Latin American domestic affairs.

The Trump 2.0 administration seems to be all out to revive this doctrine, along with the bluster to force Denmark to sell Greenland to the U.S., make Canada the 51st state of the U.S., and change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” Trump has also made startling proclamations in his inaugural address such as the U.S. needs to “expand our territory” and “carry our flag into new and beautiful horizons.” He has made no secret of his intention to reinstate U.S. control over the Western Hemisphere.

However, the Monroe Doctrine is dead and anachronistic and Trump’s bullying has already triggered pushbacks. Panama has made a formal complaint to the United Nations, emphasizing that the UN Charter precludes “the threat or use of force” against territorial integrity. Denmark, Canada and Mexico have also rejected Trump’s outrageous claims.

But it is disconcerting that with a unified Congress, a loyal cabinet and the strong Make America Great Again movement, as well as the obsession with competition with China, Trump might face little constraint in practicing an expansionist foreign policy agenda. This is bound to cause more tensions in the region and beyond, eventually disrupting the international order.

Grenadian PM: China’s people-centred development an inspiration for humanity

Prime Minister of Grenada Dickon Mitchell paid an official visit to China, January 11-17, becoming the first head of government to visit in 2025. The visit, which took in Beijing, Shanghai and Zhejiang province, also celebrated the 20th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Announcing the visit at a January 9 press conference of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that Grenada is an important country in the Caribbean region and an important partner of China in the region, adding that since the resumption of diplomatic ties, China and Grenada have always respected each other and treated each other as equals, understood and supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and maintained sound and steady development of bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Mitchell met with the senior leaders of China on January 13.

President Xi Jinping said that China is willing to provide assistance for Grenada’s economic and social development within the framework of South-South cooperation. The two countries should foster new highlights of cooperation in fields such as new energy, green and low-carbon development, and digital economy.

Xi noted that in recent years, China-Grenada relations have developed steadily, with the two sides treating each other with mutual respect and equality, consolidating political mutual trust, achieving fruitful results in practical cooperation in various fields, and deepening the friendship between the two peoples.

China supports Grenada in independently exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and stands ready to strengthen exchanges of governance experience.

Xi added that China also supports Grenada in enhancing its capacity in climate change response and disaster prevention and mitigation, and will continue to raise international awareness of small island countries’ concerns over climate change and their demands. China has always attached great importance to its relations with Caribbean countries and will continue to provide assistance within its capacity for the economic and social development of regional countries.

Mitchell expressed appreciation for China’s timely assistance after Grenada was hit by a devastating hurricane in July last year. Over the past 20 years, the Grenada-China relations have been continuously deepened, and Grenada firmly abides by the one-China principle and believes that China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected, he added.

He said Grenada, having benefited a lot from its relations with China, will continuously strengthen cooperation with China and learn from China’s experience in governance.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake: China has always been a reliable friend and partner of Sri Lanka

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, (popularly known as AKD), who was elected President of Sri Lanka in September 2024, and whose party, the National People’s Power (NPP), whose main component is the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP or People’s Liberation Front), Sri Lanka’s biggest Marxist party, then went on to win a supermajority in November 2024 parliamentary elections, paid a state visit to China from January 14-17 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Although it is his first visit as head of state, Dissanayake is an old friend of China.

Announcing the visit at a January 10 press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Hua Chunying noted that China and Sri Lanka are traditional friendly neighbours. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1957, China-Sri Lanka relations have stood the test of the changing international landscape and maintained sound and steady development, setting a good example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation.

President Dissanayake met with Xi Jinping on January 15. The Chinese leader said that China will actively support Sri Lanka in focusing on economic development and the two countries should jointly foster new highlights in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, as well as cooperation in modern agriculture, digital economy and marine economy.

With joint efforts, he continued, China and Sri Lanka have continuously promoted strategic cooperative partnership featuring mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship. High-quality Belt and Road cooperation and cooperation in various fields have achieved fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Noting that China takes Sri Lanka as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy, Xi said that the country will continue to support Sri Lanka in maintaining its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. China supports Sri Lanka in exploring a development path suitable for its national conditions, and is willing to deepen political mutual trust, exchange governance experience, and enhance dialogue and communication between various departments of the two countries. He further called for pooling the joint efforts of the Global South for solidarity and development, contributing to regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Noting that Sri Lanka admires China’s great development achievements in economy, science and technology, and infrastructure, Dissanayake said China has always been a reliable friend and partner of Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka attaches great importance to its relations with China.

Sri Lanka firmly abides by the one-China principle, and appreciates China’s invaluable support in safeguarding Sri Lanka’s independence, sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests, he added.

Sri Lanka is committed to enhancing regional connectivity through the Belt and Road cooperation and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the country, Dissanayake said, adding that Sri Lanka is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, finance, poverty reduction, digital transformation, tourism, marine industry and personnel training.

China plays a significant leading role in the Global South, as well as a constructive role in international affairs, he added. The Sri Lankan side is willing to continue strengthening coordination and mutual support with China on multilateral occasions to safeguard common interests.

The next day, Dissanayake met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

During the meeting, Li emphasised the enduring friendship between China and Sri Lanka, which has lasted for over a thousand years. “Over the past 68 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the relationship between the two countries has withstood the test of international changes and has maintained a steady and healthy pace of development.”

China is willing to import more high-quality products from Sri Lanka, and encourages capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Sri Lanka and hopes Sri Lanka will continue to optimise its business environment and provide more convenience and security for Chinese enterprises.

Dissanayake said that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the well-being of the people, has made remarkable achievements in economic and social development, and has fostered state-to-state relations based on mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Xi calls for advancing strategic partnership of cooperation with Nepal

Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli paid an official visit to China from December 2-5 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Premier Li Qiang.

On December 3, Oli, who is also the Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) (CPN-UML) met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi expressed appreciation for Oli’s firm commitment to promoting friendship between the two sides over a long period of time. He added that China and Nepal, linked by the same mountains and rivers, are good neighbours, good friends and good partners, and bilateral relations have maintained sound and steady development.

Noting that next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Xi said China places Nepal in an important position in its neighbourhood diplomacy and is willing to work with Nepal to consolidate their traditional friendship and push for new progress in advancing the China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity.

Stressing that China respects Nepal’s choice to follow a development path suited to its national conditions, he said that China supports Nepal in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Oli said that as a friend of China, Nepal is deeply proud of and inspired by China’s remarkable development achievements and hopes to learn from China’s experience to boost its own development.

The Nepalese Prime Minister also met with Premier Li Qiang the same day.

Li said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties nearly 70 years ago, China-Nepal relations have maintained sound and steady development. In 2019, in particular, the bilateral relationship was elevated to the strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity, which has driven the vigorous expansion of exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two sides and brought tangible benefits to the two peoples.

China firmly supports Nepal in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions and stands ready to enhance the synergy of development strategies with Nepal, leverage the leading role of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation in bilateral cooperation, actively expand two-way trade and investment, and strengthen connectivity at ports, roads, railways and airlines.

Oli also met on December 3 with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

A Joint Statement was issued by the two countries.

The two sides agreed that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal in 1955, the bilateral relationship has enjoyed sustained, stable and healthy development. In particular, President Xi Jinping paid a historic state visit to Nepal in 2019, during which the relationship was upgraded to a Strategic Partnership of Cooperation Featuring Ever-lasting Friendship for Development and Prosperity, taking China-Nepal relations into a new historical stage.

As the year 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nepal, the two sides comprehensively discussed the ways and means to make the celebration of the anniversary a momentous one. They are ready to take this opportunity to further accelerate the implementation of the important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen political mutual trust, and deepen and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the principle of good neighbourliness and friendship, so as to further grow bilateral relations to the benefit of the two countries and peoples in the spirit of a community with a shared future.

The Nepali side warmly congratulated the Chinese side on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, highly commended the remarkable achievements made by China in the new era and expressed support for China’s efforts to build a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieve national rejuvenation through the Chinese path to modernisation.

The Chinese side spoke highly of the efforts made by the government of Nepal to maintain political stability and promote economic and social development and wished the Nepali people an early realisation of the national aspiration of “Samriddha Nepal, Sukhi Nepali” (“Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali”).

The two sides agreed to strengthen the synergy of their development strategies and pursue deeper and even more concrete high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. They expressed their readiness to sign the MoU on building the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network and the Framework for Belt and Road Cooperation between the two Governments as soon as possible. Both sides expressed their commitment to strengthening connectivity between the two countries in such areas as ports, roads, railways, aviation, power grids and telecommunication, to help Nepal transform from a land-locked country to a land-linked country.

The Nepali side expressed its appreciation to China for granting Nepal, as one of the least developed countries, zero-tariff treatment under 100 percent tariff lines. China welcomes Nepal to further expand the export of high-quality agricultural products to China.

China-Peru friendship blossoms with Xi Jinping visit

From November 13-17, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Peru at the invitation of his Peruvian counterpart Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, to attend the 31st APEC [Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation] Economic Leaders’ Meeting and to pay a state visit to the country. He then visited Brazil from November 17-21 at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to attend the 19th G20 Summit and pay a state visit.

Immediately prior to his Peruvian visit, Xi published an article in the El Peruano newspaper entitled, “China-Peru Friendship: Setting Sail Toward an Even Brighter Future”. He noted that:

“It is widely believed in the archaeology communities of China and other countries that the Chinese civilisation and the civilisations of the Americas were in fact created by descendants of the same ancestors at different periods and in different locations,” and added:

“Peruvian thinker José Carlos Mariátegui once said, ‘Spiritually and materially, China is closer to us than Europe. The psychology of our people is more Asian than Western.’ This is the ‘code of civilisation’ that explains the inseparable bond between immigrants of Chinese origin and the local people, forged through seamless integration and familial ties over the past 175 years.”

Xi’s reference to Mariátegui is of special significance. In his speech to our September 28 conference marking the 75^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Dr. Francisco Dominguez noted:

In 1959, Lui Shaoqi, a leader of the revolution said, the Chinese revolution exerts a formidable ‘attraction for the peoples of backward countries that have suffered, or are suffering, imperialist oppression. They feel that they should also be able to do what the Chinese have done.’

A similar strategy had been put forward in Latin America by Peruvian Marxist, José Carlos Mariátegui as early as 1928. He argued that due to its backward nature, the nations in Latin America had a weak, small and dependent bourgeoisie, subordinated to the landed oligarchy and imperialism, therefore, unable and unwilling to undertake the carrying out of the national democratic tasks to modernise society to fully develop capitalism. Thus, the only way to carry through the national democratic tasks was by a socialist revolution led by the proletariat enjoying hegemony over the majority peasantry with land reform as the sine qua non condition of its success.

Mariátegui posited that the peasantry could play a revolutionary role based on its traditions of primitive agrarian communalism. For him, proletarian leadership meant a Marxist party to lead the revolutionised peasantry and the working class to carry out a socialist revolution to accomplish the national democratic tasks (especially land reform) and move simultaneously to the setting up a proletarian state.

In his introduction to the Selected Works of José Carlos Mariátegui, published by Iskra Books, editor and translator Christian Noakes writes:

Considered by many to be the father of Latin American Communism, he is celebrated for being the first person to utilise Marxist methods of analysis in order to better understand concrete reality in Peru and for carving a path to revolution based off of these particular historical conditions. As such, he was one of the first Latin American socialists to acknowledge the revolutionary potential of the peasantry and Indigenous peoples… His influence on revolutionaries in Nicaragua and Cuba has been particularly pronounced.

Xi Jinping goes on to state that: “Peru is one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. For over 50 years, our bilateral relations have been progressing steadily… It is also among the first in Latin America to participate in cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China has been Peru’s largest trading partner and largest export market for 10 consecutive years. Last year, Peru’s exports to China accounted for 36 percent of its total exports.” (China and Peru established diplomatic relations on November 2, 1971, during the anti-imperialist and progressive presidency of Juan Velasco Alvarado.)

As a major BRI project, Xi’s visit also saw the inauguration ceremony of Chancay Port: “This is not only an important project under Belt and Road cooperation, but also the first smart port in South America. The first phase of the project, when completed, will reduce the sea shipping time from Peru to China to 23 days, thus cutting logistics costs by at least 20 percent. It is expected to generate US$ 4.5 billion in yearly revenues for Peru and create over 8,000 direct jobs… The port’s development plan also includes establishing animal rescue services to fulfil its social responsibility for the rescue and protection of penguins, seals, and birds and to improve the environment of wetlands, beaches, and habitats.”

Jointly advance the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future

On September 6, Chinese President Xi Jinping held his final round of bilateral meetings with African leaders who had come to Beijing to take part in the summit meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

In the morning he met with President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso, who was also paying a state visit to China.

Xi Jinping congratulated the Republic of the Congo on taking over the African co-chair of FOCAC. He commended Denis Sassou Nguesso for his important contributions to the success of the FOCAC Beijing Summit. Xi pointed out that developing solidarity and cooperation with African countries is an important cornerstone of China’s foreign policy. He recalled that during his visit to Africa in 2013, he put forth the principles of China’s Africa policy – sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and pursuing the greater good and shared interests, which have become the guiding principles for China’s relations with all other developing countries. China is ready to work with the Republic of the Congo to better play their leading role as FOCAC co-chairs, implement the outcomes of the summit, ensure that the “golden brand” of FOCAC shines even brighter over time, and show the international community the firm resolve of China and Africa to jointly advance the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Xi Jinping pointed out that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Republic of the Congo. The rock-solid friendship between the two countries is rooted in a high degree of political mutual trust, the common pursuit of ideas and the firm support for each other. China-Africa relations have embarked on a new journey, and friendly cooperation between China and the Republic of the Congo will embrace the next 60 years with even more brilliance.

Xi Jinping suggested that China and the Republic of the Congo play the “four roles”, i.e. a standard-bearer for building a community with a shared future, a pioneer in Belt and Road cooperation, a model of people-to-people bonds, and an example of solidarity and collaboration. China supports the Republic of the Congo in developing a diversified economy and encourages Chinese enterprises to participate in the construction of major infrastructure and regional connectivity projects in the country. China is ready to carry out cooperation in agriculture, digital economy, green development and other fields, deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and encourage the two peoples to actively participate in the cause of friendship between China and the Republic of the Congo. China is ready to work with the Republic of the Congo to carry forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, strengthen international cooperation in global governance and other fields, and create a more favourable international environment for the development and revitalisation of developing countries.

Denis Sassou Nguesso recalled that 60 years ago, he was one of the first batch of young people from the Republic of the Congo to visit China. Over the years, he has visited China multiple times and witnessed its continuous and remarkable economic and technological development. China has become a powerful country in the world, which fills its people with great pride and earns deep admiration and heartfelt congratulations from the people of the Republic of the Congo. The Republic of the Congo firmly abides by the one-China principle and supports the Chinese government in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. This position remains unwavering.

Meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Somalia enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges. Somalia is the first East African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, and the friendship between the two countries has withstood many tests. China is ready to work with Somalia to uphold the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations and push for more new achievements in bilateral relations to better benefit the two peoples.

Xi Jinping emphasised that both China and Somalia shoulder the historical mission of achieving complete national reunification. [Here Xi Jinping refers respectively to China’s Taiwan province and to the secessionist ‘Republic of Somaliland’.] China supports Somalia in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity and supports the peace and development process in Somalia. China is willing to continue to support Somalia’s economic and social development, tap cooperation potential and expand development space with Somalia, and take the implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, fishery and human resources training. Xi Jinping congratulated Somalia on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and its official accession to the East African Community.

China and Senegal – friends and partners on the path to national development and revitalisation

On September 4, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping held 10 bilateral meetings with African leaders who were visiting China to attend the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

In the morning, he met with the new progressive President of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was also paying a state visit.

Xi Jinping stressed that China and Senegal are friends and partners on the path to national development and revitalisation. Over the years, the two sides have carried out cooperation in the spirit of sincerity, friendship, equality, respect and win-win cooperation, and achieved tangible results, benefiting the two peoples.

China will continue to send agricultural technological experts to support Senegal in building industrial parks, expand cooperation in new energy and other emerging fields, and boost Senegal’s industrialisation and agricultural modernisation process. China and Senegal hold similar positions on many major international issues, and China is ready to work closely with Senegal in multilateral coordination to jointly safeguard international fairness and justice and the common interests of developing countries.

Xi Jinping pointed out that FOCAC is a golden brand of South-South cooperation, leading international cooperation with Africa and making important contributions to world peace and development. Over the past six years since China and Senegal assumed the co-chairs of FOCAC, China and Africa have overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and other difficulties and successfully completed the eight major initiatives and nine programs launched at the two previous FOCAC conferences, advancing China-Africa relations into a new stage. As the fourth African co-chair of FOCAC, Senegal has made important contributions to China-Africa solidarity and cooperation. China is ready to work closely with Senegal to lead the summit to achieve complete success, join hands to advance China-Africa modernisation and start a new journey of China-Africa relations.

Bassirou Diomaye Faye said that it is a great honour for him to pay his first state visit to China and attend the FOCAC Beijing Summit. He thanked the Chinese side for the warm hospitality that has made him appreciate the beauty and friendliness of China. Since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Senegal and China in 2016, bilateral cooperation has made continuous progress. Senegal is willing to learn from China’s successful experience in party and state governance, advance cooperation in agriculture, industry, digitalisation, vocational training, youth and other fields, and elevate the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Senegal and China to a higher level. The establishment and development of FOCAC is based on friendship, trust, mutual respect, solidarity, cooperation, practicality and efficiency, and has made important contributions to Africa’s economic and social development.

Xi Jinping also met with President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

Xi Jinping emphasised that China and Equatorial Guinea are good friends. High-level political mutual trust, all-round practical cooperation, and profound friendship between the two peoples are the main features of their bilateral relations. China is ready to work with Equatorial Guinea to firmly support each other, expand practical cooperation, deepen defence and security cooperation, help Equatorial Guinea diversify its economy, advance together on their respective modernisation paths, and open up new prospects for the China-Equatorial Guinea comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership. He congratulated Equatorial Guinea on its assumption of the co-chairmanship of FOCAC from 2027 to 2030.

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo said that as soon as he arrived in Beijing, he felt the sincere friendship of the Chinese people towards Equatorial Guinea and the African people. The organisation of the Summit is meticulous, and the theme is in line with the dream of African countries to pursue modernisation. Equatorial Guinea’s relations with China are based on profound friendship and a high degree of mutual trust, with fruitful cooperation and close coordination in international affairs. The investment and cooperation of Chinese enterprises have helped Equatorial Guinea take on a new look, and China has made important contributions to promoting world peace.

China and South Africa to boost cooperation on renewable energy, digital economy and AI

With the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit being held in Beijing from September 4-6, as the country’s greatest diplomatic event of 2024, leaders of some 50 African countries began arriving in the Chinese capital from the beginning of the month.

Among President Xi Jinping’s first bilateral meetings with his visitors was that in the afternoon of September 2 with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who also paid a state visit to China that day.

At their meeting, President Xi pointed out that the friendship between China and South Africa stems from their mutual support in the fight for national liberation, from their mutual assistance in advancing national development, and from their unity and coordination in pursuit of international equity and justice. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and also the 30th anniversary of the new South Africa. Despite changes in the international landscape, there has been no change to the mission of China and South Africa to pursue modernisation, no change to their commitment to promoting China-Africa cooperation, and no change to their aspiration to improve global governance. Greater unity and cooperation between China and South Africa meet the expectations of the two peoples and is consistent with the historic process of the growth of the Global South. It has important significance for the times and implications for the world.

The Chinese leader further stressed that transformation unseen in a century is accelerating across the world and human society is facing unprecedented challenges. The more complex the international landscape, the more important that countries of the Global South stay committed to independence, solidarity and coordination to jointly safeguard international equity and justice.

President Ramaphosa recalled the fourth successful state visit by President Xi to South Africa last year where the two sides celebrated the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and brought the relationship into a golden era. South Africa and China enjoy strong political trust and deep friendship and share similar positions and the same goals on many issues, he stressed.

Following the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents, the two countries issued the Joint Statement Between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa on the Establishment of an All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era.

The two sides reaffirmed that they cherish the special and ever-growing friendship between the two countries and recommitted to working together towards building a high-quality China-South Africa community with a shared future. To carry forward the friendship, consolidate mutual trust, expand cooperation and enhance coordination, the two Heads of State agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era, underpinned by strong political ties and focused on a prosperous future with balanced trade and accelerated transformative economic growth.

China congratulated President Ramaphosa on his re-election as President of the Republic of South Africa, and believes that under his leadership, the South African Government of National Unity will achieve success in building a united, just, equal and prosperous country as espoused in the National Development Plan, including maintaining an independent and non-aligned foreign policy based on the principle of progressive internationalism. China firmly supports national unity and the path of economic and social development that South Africa has chosen and respects efforts by the South African government to safeguard its national interests so as to improve the lives of all South Africans. The South African government reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China Policy, recognised that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. South Africa supports efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.

Regarding economic cooperation, the two sides agreed to work on strengthening cooperation and synergy between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and South Africa’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan and to continue implementing the 10 Years Strategic Programme of Cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa (2020-2029).

They agreed that promoting modernisation is the joint goal in building a high-level South Africa-China community with a shared future. The two sides will deepen cooperation in traditional fields such as agriculture, health, medical sciences and infrastructure development. However, they will further seize opportunities presented by the new scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, focusing on key areas such as the digital economy, new energies and artificial intelligence, boost cooperation on new quality productive forces, and further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in renewable energy, energy storage and power transmission and distribution.

China is committed to sharing with South Africa experience in poverty alleviation and rural revitalisation, in building poverty alleviation model villages, and offering support for South Africa’s coordinated urban and rural development. The two sides further agreed to continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the areas of culture, women, health, youth, education, sport, media, tourism, and other people-to-people cooperation fields.

The two sides applauded the recent 70th Anniversary of China’s Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, as these were espoused in the buildup to the Asia-Africa Summit of 1955 in Bandung and were later adopted as the main goals and objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

They also expressed deep concern about the serious humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip. Both countries called for the earnest implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2728 and an immediate ceasefire and end to all fighting, and support resuming a process of political settlement of the Palestinian question. Alluding in particular to South Africa’s case against Israel, brought to the International Court of Justice, China commended the positive role that South Africa has played in activating the role of the international community in the conflict in Gaza and is willing to work together toward a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement at an early date. South Africa expressed its appreciation to China for successfully inviting various Palestinian factions to hold a reconciliation dialogue and to sign the Beijing Declaration.

We reprint below the report on the meeting, which was released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, as well as the full text of the joint statement as published by the Xinhua News Agency.