Category: International relations

Hun Manet visit consolidates China-Cambodia friendship

The new Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet paid an official visit to China from September 14-16. Hun Manet chose China for his first bilateral foreign visit since assuming office in a sign of the close relations between the two countries.

President Xi Jinping met with him on September 15. He noted that the Cambodian leader’s choice of China fully demonstrates the great importance the new Cambodian government attaches to consolidating and developing China-Cambodia friendship.

China and Cambodia are ironclad friends, Xi said, adding that over the past 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides have always maintained a high degree of mutual trust, treated each other as equals, achieved win-win results, and firmly supported each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Xi stressed that China firmly supports Cambodia in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions and stands ready to maintain regular strategic communication with Cambodia and deepen the exchange of governance experience.

The Chinese President pointed out that no matter how the international and regional situation may change, China is always Cambodia’s most reliable friend and staunch supporter, and that China stands ready to join hands with Cambodia to uphold international fairness and justice and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Hun Manet said that he chose China as the destination for his first official visit to show that the new Cambodian government will continue to firmly pursue a friendly policy toward China and further carry forward the ironclad friendship between Cambodia and China.

The prime minister added that Cambodia will abide by the one-China principle, firmly support China in safeguarding its core interests, and support the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative proposed by President Xi.

Cambodia appreciates China’s long-term strong support and assistance for Cambodia’s economic and social development and is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen Belt and Road cooperation, and push for further development of bilateral cooperation in industry, agriculture, investment, culture and other fields.

When meeting his Cambodian counterpart on the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said that China and Cambodia have always stood together through thick and thin and helped each other since establishing diplomatic ties 65 years ago and the two countries have set an example of equality and mutual benefit between countries.

Li pointed out that China firmly supports the Cambodian side in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests and in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions.

Hun Manet hailed the ironclad friendship with China, stressing that the new Cambodian government maintains no change in promoting this friendship and intends to work with China to carry forward the traditional relationship between the two countries.

Cambodia abides by the one-China principle, resolutely opposes external forces interfering in China’s internal affairs, and supports the significant initiatives put forward by China, he added.

The two countries released a joint communiqué in which they speak highly of the substantial development of the China-Cambodia relationship, which has been carefully nurtured by generations of leaders of both countries and has been constantly growing from strength to strength in the last 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties. Both sides emphasise that no matter how the international situation changes, they will unswervingly develop their ever-lasting friendship and deepen cooperation for mutual benefits, with a view to promoting the building of a high-quality, high-level and high-standard China-Cambodia Community with a Shared Future in the new era as a showcase for a community with a shared future for humanity.

Both sides reaffirm their respect and support for each other’s choice of development path that suits their respective national conditions. The Cambodian side speaks highly of China’s great achievements in the decade of the new era and of Chinese modernisation that offers an alternative modernisation for humanity and fresh opportunities for Cambodia. It trusts that China will achieve its second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country in all aspects towards great national rejuvenation through Chinese modernisation. The Chinese side speaks highly of Cambodia’s economic and social achievements.

The Chinese side reaffirms resolute support to Cambodia’s endeavours to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests while expressing firm opposition to any foreign interference in Cambodia’s internal affairs. And both express firm opposition to politicisation of human rights, double standards and interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the guise of human rights or democracy. Both sides agree to strengthen cooperation against interference and ‘Colour Revolutions’.

In recent years, Cambodia has experienced increasing external pressure in this regard due to its maintaining an independent and non-aligned posture regionally and internationally and its rejection of outside interference in its internal affairs. For example, the US House of Representatives passed a Cambodia Sanctions Bill in September 2021 and the US government tightened export controls to the country in December of the same year.

Surveying economic cooperation, the communiqué laid stress on the development of Cambodia’s Special Economic Zone along with the areas of agro-industries, transportation infrastructure, electricity, energy and manufacturing, in particular.

They further agreed to enhance cooperation in hydropower, photovoltaics, and other clean energy sources, to explore green, stable and reliable energy cooperation solutions, promote establishment of a China-Cambodia Low-Carbon Demonstration Zone Project of South-South Cooperation on Climate Change in Preah Sihanouk Province, and to carry out cooperation in policy dialogue, joint research and capacity building, with a focus on climate change, pollution management and circular economy; as well as to conduct cooperation in such areas of shared interests as comprehensive water resources management, flood and drought disaster prevention, and drinking water safety in rural areas.

As noted, this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China under the guidance of King Father Norodom Sihanouk, Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai. The anniversary has been marked by diverse exchanges and reciprocal visits. China’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Cambodia in August and Minister Liu Jianchao of the Communist Party of China’s International Department visited in September.

Hun Manet succeeded his father, the long-serving Hun Sen, as Prime Minister on August 22, following general elections on July 23, when their Cambodian People’s Party again won a decisive victory.

The following reports were originally carried by the Xinhua News Agency.

Xi meets Cambodian prime minister

BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Great Hall of the People on Friday.

Xi pointed out that Prime Minister Hun Manet chose China as the destination for his first bilateral visit after taking office, which fully demonstrates the great importance the new Cambodian government attaches to consolidating and developing China-Cambodia friendship.

China and Cambodia are ironclad friends, Xi said, adding that over the past 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides have always maintained a high degree of mutual trust, treated each other as equals, achieved win-win results, and firmly supported each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Xi stressed that China firmly supports Cambodia in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and stands ready to maintain regular strategic communication with Cambodia and deepen the exchange of governance experience.

He said the two sides should make good use of the mechanism of the intergovernmental coordinating committee and implement the new action plan for building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future.

Continue reading Hun Manet visit consolidates China-Cambodia friendship

The New Cold War is failing

On 6 September 2023, Carlos Martinez and Dr Ken Hammond joined Danny Haiphong live on his YouTube channel to discuss the latest developments regarding the US’s hybrid war on China and the multipolar world.

They have a detailed discussion on the US attempts to prevent China from developing advanced semiconductors; the recent advances made by Huawei and SMIC in precisely the field of advanced semiconductors; the contradiction between the requirements of the US business community and the strategic designs of the New Cold War; the state of the Chinese economy; the successes of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg; the significance of BRICS; China’s prioritisation of relations with the countries of the Global South and those countries outside the US imperialist orbit; and more.

The three pay tribute to the recently-deceased comrade and veteran friend of China Isabel Crook, and also discuss Carlos’s and Ken’s books on China, both of which have been published in 2023.

China and Zambia announce comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership

President of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema paid a state visit to China from September 10-16 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Meeting for talks in Beijing on September 15, the two heads of state announced the elevation of their countries’ bilateral relationship to that of a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Xi Jinping said that the traditional friendship forged by the two countries’ older generations of leaders has stood the test of the changing international landscape, and the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) has become a symbol of China-Africa friendship.

The friendship between Zambia and China was forged and carefully nurtured by the founding father of independent Zambia Dr Kenneth Kaunda along with Chinese leaders Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai. China’s largest foreign aid project at the time, the TAZARA railway was opened in 1975, when China itself was still a poor country, and enabled landlocked Zambia to break the isolation and blockade imposed on it by countries to its south then still under white racist and colonial rule.

Xi said China has always viewed and developed China-Zambia relations from a strategic and long-term perspective and stands ready to work with Zambia to transform the profound traditional friendship into a strong driving force for win-win cooperation in the new era and push bilateral relations to a new level.

He added that China supports Zambia in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests and exploring a development path suited to its own conditions. He expressed China’s willingness to strengthen inter-party exchanges and exchanges of state governance experience with Zambia. The two countries should support each other on issues related to their respective core interests and major concerns.

The success of Chinese modernisation shows the diversity of modernisation models in the world, and China’s high-quality development and modernisation process will continue to bring new opportunities to all countries including Zambia, Xi said.

He called on the two sides to make a success of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties next year and step up exchanges and cooperation in education and training, health care, culture, tourism and other fields.

Noting that the collective rise of developing countries and their increasing international influence have become an irreversible trend of the times, Xi said China and Zambia need to strengthen solidarity and coordination, practice genuine multilateralism, firmly uphold international fairness and justice, strive to increase the voice of developing countries, and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and other developing countries.

Hichilema said Zambia cherishes the friendship forged by the older generations of leaders of the two countries. China’s development has led to the progress of countries in the Global South, increased their representation and voice in international affairs, and promoted the development of international order in a more just and rational direction, he added. Zambia thanks China for supporting the African Union’s entry into the G20 and China’s positive role in resolving the Zambian debt issue.

The establishment of a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership between the two countries was announced in a 32-point joint statement.

Among the myriad of issues it addressed, the two sides agreed that climate change is a challenge facing humanity and that the international community needs to collectively respond. The developed countries shoulder inescapable historical responsibilities over climate change, and should, therefore, take the lead in undertaking emission reductions obligations by a large margin and faithfully honour their commitment to the developing countries regarding financial, technical and capacity-building support.

China and Zambia will establish a green development strategic partnership and enhance cooperation on environmental protection, combating climate change, green economy, and emergency risk response mechanism, among others. The two sides will deepen mutually beneficial cooperation on renewable energy, such as photovoltaic power, and electric vehicle industries to promote energy transition and ensure energy security. The Zambian side applauded the Chinese efforts, determination and actions to pursue green and low-carbon development and to participate actively in international cooperation against climate change and will take them as an opportunity to advance relevant cooperation between the two sides.

The two sides will also enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in mineral exploration and mining and industries aimed at value addition. The Zambian side invited Chinese mining businesses to continue active participation in the mining sector. The Chinese side encourages Chinese businesses to invest in Zambia’s new-energy battery value chain development so as to support Zambia’s efforts to upscale industrial chains and boost its capability for independent development.

At the request of the Zambian side, the Chinese side is ready to support the upgrade and renovation of the TAZARA Railway in line with market and commercial principles.

Once again congratulating the Communist Party of China on its 20th National Congress, held last year, the Zambian side commended China for the great achievements made in the past 10 years of the new era, and recognised that Chinese modernisation has created a new model of human advancement which has provided a new option for other developing countries to independently pursue modernisation and explore diverse paths towards modernisation.

The two sides noted that the year 2024 marks Zambia’s 60th anniversary of independence as well as the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties. The commemoration should be an opportunity to bring into full play the political leading role of the head-of-state diplomacy, keep the momentum of high-level exchanges and dialogue, enhance political mutual trust and consolidate the political foundation for the bilateral relationship. The two sides stressed that mutual respect, equality and common development are important principles of China-Zambia relations.

They encourage greater use of national currencies in trade and investment and will help businesses of both countries reduce costs of currency exchange and lower exchange rate risks. The two sides will also create a favourable policy environment for promoting settlements in local currencies and support a greater role of the Chinese Renminbi (RMB) settlement bank in Zambia.

The Zambian side appreciates China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis. The Chinese side appreciates that President Hichilema and other African leaders formed a peace mission to visit Russia and Ukraine and put forward the African Peace Initiative. The two sides agreed that dialogue and negotiations are the only viable solution and that all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be encouraged and supported. The two sides call on the international community to jointly address the spillover effects in food, energy, finance, transportation, and other fields, and to reduce the negative impact of the crisis on the developing world, especially on African countries. They call on more countries to play a constructive role in the peaceful settlement of the crisis.

The two sides will strengthen health cooperation. The Chinese side will continue to support Zambian public health system building and dispatch medical teams to Zambia. The Zambian side expressed gratitude for China’s continued support to Zambia’s health sector, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Hichilema sincerely thanked President Xi and the Chinese government and people for their warm hospitality. President Hichilema invited President Xi to visit Zambia in 2024 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

President Hichilema also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji on September 15.

Premier Li said that China and Zambia share a profound tradition of friendship and have extensive common interests. Despite the changing international situation, they have strengthened their political mutual trust and their practical cooperation has become closer, setting a good example of solidarity and coordination between developing countries.

China and Zambia should not only expand and strengthen cooperation in established areas such as mining and infrastructure construction, but they should also create new cooperation growth areas such as green development, the digital economy, and industrial and agricultural modernisation, he said. By doing so, they can embark on a path of modernisation featuring mutual assistance and common revitalisation among developing countries.

Hichilema said that Zambia and China enjoy an all-weather friendship, and that bilateral relations are as firm as a rock. Zambia opposes the ‘China debt trap’ and ‘economic decoupling’ narratives, and is willing to work with China to promote common development, he added.

Zhao Leji commended the important and unique role that China-Zambia relations had played in the history of China-Africa friendly exchanges. The profound historical heritage and solid political foundation of the bilateral relationship have withstood the vicissitudes of the international landscape and remain rock-solid.

Noting that next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Zhao said China is ready to work with the Zambian side, under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, to further deepen political mutual trust, enhance the synergy of development strategies and jointly build a high-quality Belt and Road, and to achieve new and greater development of bilateral relations and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

The following articles were originally carried by the Xinhua News Agency.

Xi, Hichilema announce elevation of China-Zambia ties

BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with his Zambian counterpart, Hakainde Hichilema, in Beijing on Friday.

The two heads of state announced the elevation of the China-Zambia relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Continue reading China and Zambia announce comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership

Liu Jianchao visits Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos

In the first week of September, Minister Liu Jianchao of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), paid visits to the southeast Asian countries of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. Vietnam and Laos are fraternal socialist countries of China and the contemporary relations between all four countries are deeply rooted in their common struggle against the US imperialist war of aggression for national independence and salvation.

Minister Liu travelled first to Cambodia and on September 3 met with Hun Manet, who assumed office as his country’s new Prime Minister on August 23, shortly after a general election saw another resounding victory for the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). Hun Manet asked Liu to convey his sincere greetings to General Secretary Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. He said, the victory of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) in Cambodia’s seventh general election reflects the Cambodian people’s high recognition of the CPP’s governance and their expectations for the new government. The new government will continue to firmly adhere to the CPP’s friendly policies towards China and make the relationship between Cambodia and China even better. I will choose China as my first official outbound visit after taking office as Prime Minister, he said. On September 11 it was announced that that visit will take place, September 14-16.

The following day, Minister Liu met with Hun Sen, President of the CPP, who served as Prime Minister from November 1998 to August 2023. Hun Sen said that his party’s victory in the July 23 general elections also reflects the satisfaction and support of the Cambodian people for the achievements in the development of China-Cambodia relations. The Cambodian side appreciates the Chinese side’s long-standing support and assistance to Cambodia’s national development and is willing to strengthen strategic alignment with the Chinese side, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, closely coordinate and cooperate in multilateral affairs, and jointly safeguard regional and global stability and development.

Liu also met with Norodom Chakravuth, President of the FUNCINPEC party, which is generally described as Cambodia’s royalist party. Chakravuth affirmed that FUNCINPEC has long upheld King Father Norodom Sihanouk’s friendly policy towards China, always considering the CPC as a good and true friend. FUNCINPEC is ready to contribute to the building of the Cambodia-China community with a shared future. His party expressed gratitude for the long-term support from the CPC and the Chinese government to the Cambodian royal family, and its commitment to deepening friendly exchanges and cooperation with the CPC. Since the time of Norodom Sihanouk, the Cambodian royal family has maintained a close relationship with the Asian socialist countries and their ruling communist parties.

Continuing to Vietnam, on September 5, Minister Liu met with Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

Nguyen Phu Trong asked Liu to convey his warm greetings and best wishes to General Secretary Xi Jinping. He said, as the first foreign leader to visit China after the 20th CPC National Congress, held in October 2022, I received a warm and friendly reception from the CPC and the Chinese people. In particular, General Secretary Xi Jinping had in-depth and friendly exchanges with me. I sincerely welcome and look forward to General Secretary Xi Jinping’s visit to Vietnam again at an early date to discuss plans for the development of relations between the two Parties and the two countries under the new situation, and to lead Vietnam-China relations for new and greater development.

The Vietnamese leader added that the Vietnam-China relationship has a long history and has become stronger over time. Just as President Ho Chi Minh remarked, China and Vietnam enjoy comradely and brotherly friendship. The Vietnamese side will always remember the great support and assistance provided by the CPC and the Chinese people for the Vietnamese side in all historical periods, and always regard developing relations with the CPC, the Chinese government and people as a top priority.

Liu said, in the face of complex and volatile international and regional situations, China and Vietnam should further strengthen unity and cooperation, implement the important consensus reached by the general secretaries of the two parties, work together to deal with various risks and challenges on the way forward, effectively promote the respective national development and socialist causes, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. If the two Parties, countries and peoples stay united, the friendship between China and Vietnam will grow deeper.

He also held talks with Le Hoai Trung, Head of the Commission for External Relations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Speaking highly of China’s great achievements in the past ten years since it entered the new era, Le Hoai Trung believed that under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, Chinese comrades will certainly achieve the second centenary goal. The Vietnamese side firmly supports socialist China in growing stronger and making greater contributions to the development of the world and the region. The Vietnamese side insists on giving top priority to developing its relations with China.

While meeting with representatives of all walks of life of Vietnam including think tanks, media, and friendly organisations, Vietnamese comrades told Liu that, as socialist countries led by communist parties, the two sides should take the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership as an opportunity to strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen exchanges and mutual learning in state governance and administration, firmly establish a common direction of progress, solve the problems of the times, and promote the causes of socialism of our two countries for continuous development.

Liu also led a CPC delegation to pay respect to the leader of the Vietnamese revolution, Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum.

The final stop of Minister Liu’s regional tour was in Laos, where, on September 8, he met with Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Lao President.

Thongloun asked Liu to convey his sincere greetings and best wishes to General Secretary Xi Jinping. Thongloun said, at the end of last year, I paid a successful state visit to China upon invitation, during which General Secretary Xi Jinping and I reached important consensus on the relations between the two parties and the two countries, and vigorously led and promoted the construction of the Laos-China community with a shared future.

He added that the Lao side sincerely thanks the Chinese side for its long-term and huge support to Laos’ socialist cause, and is willing to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with the Chinese side to better promote the development of Laos’ socialist construction.

Among his other engagements in the country, Minister Liu gave a briefing to some 300 Lao cadres and also visited the museum built in honour of the founding leader of the Lao socialist state, Kaysone Phomvihane and presented a floral tribute there. The museum was built with fraternal aid from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The following reports were originally published on the website of the IDCPC.

Hun Manet, Cambodian Prime Minister, Meets with Liu Jianchao

Phnom Penh, September 3rd— Hun Manet, Cambodian Prime Minister, met here today with Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Hun Manet asked Liu to convey his sincere greetings to General Secretary Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. He said, the victory of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) in Cambodia’s 7th general election reflects the Cambodian people’s high recognition of the CPP’s governance and their expectations for the new government. Political parties are the source of the country’s formulation of domestic and foreign policies. The new government will continue to firmly adhere to the CPP’s friendly policies towards China and make the relationship between Cambodia and China even better. I will choose China as my first official outbound visit after taking office as Prime Minister. The Cambodian side is willing to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, promote the construction of the “diamond hexagon” cooperation framework, effectively promote the construction of the “Industrial Development Corridor” and the “Fish and Rice Corridor”, and promote the construction of a Cambodia-China community of shared future in the new era. As the head of the CPP’s Youth Wing, I will support the good use of the Youth House for Cambodia-China Friendship, and efforts to strengthen friendly exchanges between the youth of the two Parties. Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong affairs are all China’s internal affairs. The Cambodian side will continue to firmly adhere to the One-China principle, firmly supports and actively participates in the Belt and Road Initiative and the three major global initiatives proposed by the Chinese side, and is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Chinese side in international and regional affairs to jointly maintain regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.

Continue reading Liu Jianchao visits Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos

Comorian President Azali Assoumani: Africa can rely on China

In this episode of the CGTN series, Leaders Talk, Wang Guan interviews Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of the Comoros, who is also this year’s rotating Chair of the African Union (AU). The president of the Indian Ocean island country was interviewed in South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg, where he was attending the BRICS Summit in late August, alongside the related China/Africa Leaders Dialogue.

President Assoumani was very positive both about the role in international affairs currently being played by the BRICS cooperation mechanism as well as for the prospects of an expanded BRICS Plus, which was first proposed by China. Citing the two examples of the disproportionate control exercised by the western powers over the traditional international financial institutions, as well as the allocation of Covid vaccines, he notes that he had discussed the latter issue with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa several times. Africa, he points out, has the ability to produce its own vaccines, an area where South Africa, Senegal, Morocco and Egypt, among other countries, have already taken a continental lead.

The Comorian leader was also emphatic on the need for industrialisation, so that Africa can export finished goods and not just raw materials. While the era of political colonialism may be largely over, that of economic colonialism is not. Often Africa exports raw materials and then imports finished goods made from them at ten, twenty or even thirty times the original export price. He therefore endorses the priorities China has set for its economic cooperation with Africa, namely industrialisation, agricultural modernisation and upscaling of the African workforce.

On agricultural modernisation, he highlights the centrality of both food processing and storage, the latter being of particular importance given the propensity of many African countries to drought and to resultant famine.

The president is also an advocate of the growing trend towards dedollarisation. Noting the successful development of the BRICS-initiated New Development Bank (NDB), he says this shows that BRICS countries could also find their way towards a common currency.

Assoumani praises China’s long standing commitment to Africa and notes that the Asian country has been fuelling Comoros’ deveopment. China was one of the first countries to recognise Comoros when it finally won independence from French colonial rule in 1975. China has always supported and stood by Comoros, he says. Therefore Comoros must also do everything it can to support China. Drawing on a popular Comorian saying, he asserts that China is now becoming a wall on which not just his country, but Africa and indeed the whole world can rely.

Africa and China, he notes, have a bond of brothers. Some other countries may be jealous of this relationship, but they, too, could enjoy a similar relationship if they treated their African counterparts as friends and brothers.

Located at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, Comoros consists of four main islands and numerous smaller islands. However, France remains in colonial occupation of Mayotte, one of the major islands, making this issue part of the unfinished business of African decolonisation. France has even vetoed UN Security Council resolutions that would affirm Comorian sovereignty over the island. The CGTN commentary correctly refers to Mayotte as part of the sovereign territory of the Union of the Comoros.

The full interview with President Assoumani is embedded below.

China and Venezuela establish all-weather strategic partnership

The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, paid his third state visit to China from 8 to 14 September at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. His last visit was in September 2018. With a special focus on economic cooperation, development and diversification, the visit was highly successful and saw the bilateral relationship upgraded to an all-weather strategic partnership, a category that China has so far only agreed with a handful of countries.

Meeting President Maduro in Beijing on September 13, Xi Jinping said that “the establishment of an all-weather strategic partnership between China and Venezuela meets the common expectations of the two peoples and conforms to the general trend of historical development.”

Xi spoke about China’s reform and opening up, especially the development of special economic zones, and noted that these are important instruments for China to catch up with the times in great strides and a crucial move in making China what it is today.

He added that China stands ready to work with Venezuela to firmly support each other in exploring a development path suited to their national conditions and to strengthen party and national governance exchanges. He said China supports Venezuela in setting up special economic zones and will share relevant experience to help its national development.

Maduro said Venezuela’s national development and Venezuela-China relations are at a significant stage. “The establishment of an all-weather strategic partnership is of historic significance and will surely usher in a new era of bilateral relations.”

He added that Venezuela is willing to learn from China’s experience in building special economic zones and to deepen practical cooperation in agriculture, investment, education, and tourism.

The two heads of state agreed a detailed joint statement. It noted that China and Venezuela are good friends with mutual trust, good partners for common development and good comrades-in-arms in strategic cooperation. China firmly supports Venezuela in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, national dignity, socio-economic stability, and the right to self-determination under the guidance of the legacy of liberator Simón Bolívar.

The two sides agreed that at present, the changes in the world, the times and history are unfolding in an unprecedented way. China and Venezuela are both developing countries and share extensive common interests and similar positions in international affairs. The two sides spoke positively of the strategic cooperation between the two countries in international organisations and multilateral mechanisms and will continue to firmly support each other in international affairs.

The Venezuelan side reaffirms its interest in joining the BRICS countries, which, as a reliable energy supplier, with the world’s largest oil and fourth largest natural gas reserves, can make an important contribution to the mechanism’s energy agenda. China welcomes Venezuela’s positive willingness to join BRICS and supports Venezuela’s efforts to achieve this goal.

The statement notes that illegal imposition of unilateral sanctions seriously violates the basic principles of international law, such as the sovereign equality of states and non-interference in internal affairs, and seriously damages the Venezuelan people’s rights to subsistence, development and peace. China firmly supports the Venezuelan people’s just struggle to defend national sovereignty and oppose external sanctions, opposes the imposition of illegal and compulsory unilateral sanctions and so-called “long-arm jurisdiction” by certain countries against Venezuela under any pretext, opposes any acts of political bullying, and opposes military intervention or the threat of force.

The two sides agreed that dialogue and negotiation are the only viable way to resolve the Ukraine crisis, and all efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis should be encouraged and supported. The Venezuelan side highly appreciates and firmly supports China’s relevant proposals. The two sides called on more countries to play a constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

Having noted the two countries’ previous cooperation in satellite launches, the Chinese side welcomed Venezuela to join the cooperation of the International Lunar Scientific Research Station, highly appreciated the signing of the framework agreement on cooperation in the field of space, and is willing to work together to jointly promote the progress of cooperation projects in the fields of communications and remote sensing satellites, lunar and deep space exploration, and promote the improvement of space capabilities and the national economic development of the two countries. Venezuela thus becomes the first Latin American country to whom China has extended such an invitation.

The Venezuelan side sincerely thanked China for its anti-epidemic support to Venezuela during the coronavirus epidemic. Chinese vaccines, medical supplies and Chinese medical teams have played a key role in Venezuela’s fight against the epidemic and made important contributions to saving the lives of millions of Venezuelans. The two sides agreed to promote health cooperation between the two countries by sharing experience and technology.

The two sides spoke highly of the important role of the China-Latin America Forum (CELAC) in promoting China-Latin America relations. They are willing to strengthen communication and coordination on China-CELAC Forum affairs and promote stable and far-reaching China-Latin America relations in the new era of equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and benefiting the people. China highly appreciates the positive role played by Venezuela in Latin American and Caribbean affairs and in promoting the sustainable development of China-Latin America cooperation.

President Maduro sincerely thanked President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government and people for their warm and friendly reception during his visit and welcomed President Xi Jinping’s timely state visit to Venezuela.

Maduro had begun his visit on Friday September 8 in Shenzhen, the home of China’s reform and opening up, where a spectacular welcoming ceremony was arranged in the city’s Talents Park, with a light show featuring hundreds of drones, culminating in them spelling out, ‘May the Friendship between China and Venezuela be Eternal’ across the night sky.

President Maduro’s itinerary then took him to China’s financial capital Shanghai and to Shandong Province. Visiting China’s International Poverty Reduction Centre, the Venezuelan leader noted that despite the hardships imposed by the US’ economic war against his country, 77.1% of Venezuela’s budget is devoted to social investment, strengthening programs in food production and distribution, social housing, education, health and social security.

Further underlining the great importance that Venezuela attaches to its relations with China, Maduro’s visit was immediately preceded by, and overlapped with, one by his Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who arrived in China on September 5, primarily to attend the 17th Meeting of the Mixed Venezuela-China High Level Committee and to review and confirm bilateral agreements prior to the state visit.

On the day prior to Maduro’s arrival, she met with China’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who said that their two countries had forged an unbreakable, iron-clad friendship. On the day of Maduro’s arrival in Shenzhen, she met with her counterpart, Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing.

The following reports originally appeared on the websites of the Xinhua News Agency, the People’s Daily and Telesur. The full text of the joint statement was machine translated from Chinese and lightly edited by us.

Xi, Maduro announce elevation of China-Venezuela ties

BEIJING, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolás Maduro Moros, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday.

The two presidents announced the elevation of the China-Venezuela relationship to an all-weather strategic partnership.

“The establishment of an all-weather strategic partnership between China and Venezuela meets the common expectations of the two peoples and conforms to the general trend of historical development,” Xi said, calling on the two sides to push for more fruitful China-Venezuela strategic cooperation, bring more benefits to the two peoples and inject more positive energy into world peace and development.

Xi spoke about China’s reform and opening up, especially the development of special economic zones, and noted that reform and opening up is an important instrument for China to catch up with the times in great strides and a crucial move in making China what it is today.

Continue reading China and Venezuela establish all-weather strategic partnership

China congratulates DPRK on the 75th anniversary of its founding

China’s socialist neighbour, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) celebrated its 75th founding anniversary on September 9.

Greeting the occasion, China’s leader Xi Jinping sent a warm message to his DPRK counterpart, Kim Jong Un.

Xi said that, thanks to the steadfast leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and the tireless efforts of the Korean people, the cause of socialist construction in the DPRK has achieved steady and new successes for 75 years.

China and the DPRK are friendly neighbours sharing mountains and rivers, the message said, adding that the traditional China-DPRK friendship, personally provided and cultivated by the leaders of the elder generation of the two parties and two countries, has struck roots deep in the mind of the two peoples and is growing stronger with the passage of time.

It is the steadfast stand of the Chinese party and government to defend, consolidate and develop the traditional China-DPRK friendly and cooperative relations with credit, no matter how the international and regional situation may change, under the great changes unprecedented in a hundred years taking place rapidly.

A Chinese party and government delegation, led by Liu Guozheng, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Vice Premier of China, visited the DPRK from September 8 to 11 to participate in the celebrations.

Kim Jong Un met with the Chinese guests on the day of their arrival. He noted that the Chinese comrades’ participation in the celebrations of the founding anniversary of the DPRK added glory to the events for marking its national day. Saying that he deeply realised through the Chinese party and government delegation’s visit to the DPRK that Comrade Xi Jinping and the Chinese party and government attach great importance to the special nature of the DPRK-China relations, he expressed thanks and high appreciation for it.

Conveying the cordial greetings of Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, to Kim, Liu Guozheng extended warm congratulations on the 75th anniversary of the DPRK’s founding, made positive comments on the DPRK’s construction achievements, and wished the DPRK a prosperous future and its people a happy life with the country’s socialist cause flourishing and its development path getting wider.

China prizes the traditional China-DPRK friendship and is willing to push for the continuous consolidation and development of bilateral relations, he said.

Liu is in charge of the agriculture and health care sectors in China, and he noted that they are important undertakings for people’s livelihood, adding that China is willing to deepen exchanges and cooperation with the DPRK in these areas so as to benefit their people.

During their visit, the Chinese delegation also met with Premier Kim Tok Hun; attended a parade of paramilitary forces; visited the Friendship Tower, which honours the fallen fighters of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War; visited the DPRK-China Friendship Thaekam Farm, which DPRK President Kim Il Sung and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai visited together in 1958; attended a grand musical performance as well as a reception and banquet; and paid respects to the statues of late DPRK leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on Pyongyang’s Mansu Hill, as well as at the Chinese People’s Volunteers Martyrs Cemetery in Anju City.

The following reports were originally published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and the Xinhua News Agency.

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from President Xi Jinping

KCNA, 9 September 2023

Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) — Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and president of the People’s Republic of China, on Sept. 9.

In the message, Xi Jinping extended heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the CPC and the Chinese government and people and on his own behalf to Kim Jong Un and to the WPK and the government and people of DPRK on the 75th birthday of the DPRK.

Thanks to the steadfast leadership of the WPK and the tireless efforts of the Korean people, the cause of socialist construction in the DPRK has achieved steady and new successes for 75 years, the message said.

Noting that in recent years General Secretary Kim Jong Un has made important achievements by guiding the Korean party and people to thoroughly implement the spirit of the Eighth WPK Congress and the plenary meetings of the Party Central Committee and channeling big efforts into the economic development and the improvement of people’s living, it expressed belief that under the leadership of the General Secretary and the WPK, the fraternal Korean people would surely accelerate the socialist cause of the DPRK and thus steadily achieve new development and put it on a new stage.

Continue reading China congratulates DPRK on the 75th anniversary of its founding

Nicolás Maduro: Between China and Venezuela there is a model relationship

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros began a week long state visit to China on September 8.

Prior to leaving his capital Caracas, the leader of the Bolivarian revolution gave an exclusive interview to China’s Xinhua News Agency. According to Maduro:

“Between China and Venezuela there is a model relationship, it is a model of what should be the relationship between a superpower like China, the great superpower of the 21st century, and an emerging, heroic, revolutionary and socialist country like Venezuela… China has inaugurated a new era of the emergence of non-colonialist, non-imperialist, non-hegemonic superpowers.”

Referring to President Xi Jinping’s concept of building a shared future for humanity, Maduro said: “I believe that the route that President Xi Jinping has proposed is uniting the peoples in all aspects of the economy, trade, culture and is laying the foundations to leave behind the old world of colonialism and imperialism.”

Noting that China provided vaccines to more than 160 countries during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Venezuelan President continued:

“We have to thank China very much. At the time of the pandemic, if it had not been for China, with the blockade of US imperialism in Venezuela, neither medicines nor sanitary supplies would have arrived, nor the vaccines. Thanks to China, vaccines and medicines arrived, not only to Venezuela, but to more than 160 countries in the world.”

He also expressed Venezuela’s willingness to join the BRICS cooperation mechanism, adding: “The BRICS countries are accelerating the de-dollarisation of the world and the emergence of a new international financial system and a new just economic order, for which humanity has been fighting for years, decades and centuries.”

The interview was originally published by Xinhua in Spanish. We reprint below an English-language translation published by Internationalist 360°.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declared that the peoples of China and Venezuela are friends who share “a common destiny in the world to come”, while stressing that both nations are committed to peace, development and cooperation.

“Between China and Venezuela there is a model relationship, it is a model of what should be the relationship between a superpower like China, the great superpower of the 21st century and an emerging, heroic, revolutionary and socialist country like Venezuela,” Maduro emphasized in an exclusive interview with Xinhua before beginning his state visit to China.

Regarding the role played by China in the emergence of a fairer world, the President affirmed that the Asian country “has inaugurated a new era of the emergence of non-colonialist, non-imperialist, non-hegemonic superpowers”.

He also stressed that China, “today, points the way to economic and technological development, social stability  and strengthened independence”.

“I believe that the relations between the governments and peoples of China and Venezuela are relations of intimate mutual trust, of true brotherhood, of cooperation for shared development”, said the President.

He also described the bilateral ties as fruitful and stressed that “we mutually nourish each other with great ideas, with great projects”.

The Venezuelan president also expressed his country’s firm support for China’s proposal to build a community of shared destiny for humanity that advances towards “respect for our diversity in the union of a different world, (made up of) all the regions of the world”.

Continue reading Nicolás Maduro: Between China and Venezuela there is a model relationship

Grenadian FM: China upholds justice in international affairs

The good relations between China and the Caribbean island nation of Grenada have been underlined by a visit to the Chinese capital by the Grenadian Foreign Minister Joseph Andall.

Meeting his Grenadian counterpart in Beijing on September 6, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Grenada is an important country in the Caribbean and a friendly partner of China and both sides have always respected each other and treated each other as equals.

Andall said that China, a great ancient civilisation with great achievements in development today, has always fully respected and treated Grenada on an equal footing and provided valuable support for Grenada’s economic development and improvement of people’s livelihood. Grenada highly appreciates China’s role as a responsible major country in upholding justice in international affairs, sharing development achievements with countries in the Global South, and is willing to actively participate in the series of important global initiatives proposed by China.

As an ex-officio member of the Global South, Wang said that China will continue to stand on the side of developing countries, safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, especially those of small and medium-sized countries, and defend international fairness and justice.

In an interview with the Chinese newspaper Global Times during his visit, Andall said that an increasing number of regional countries support the one-China principle, which is in “keeping with the inevitable march of history.”

“As I said in my remarks in my meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, resisting the one-China principle is like trying to push back a tsunami with your hands. This is an irreversible trend,” he added.

When it comes to the China-Grenada cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Andall said his country has benefited from cooperation with China in areas such as infrastructure development, expansion and modernization of the national airport and the road network.

The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency and Global Times.

Chinese FM meets Grenada’s minister for foreign affairs

Xinhua, 6 September 2023

BEIJING, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Grenada’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Joseph Andall on Wednesday in Beijing.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that Grenada is an important country in the Caribbean and a friendly partner of China, and both sides have always respected each other and treated each other as equals, and their bilateral relations have become more mature since the resumption of diplomatic ties.

Wang noted that China highly appreciates Grenada’s adherence to the one-China principle, respects Grenada’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, supports Grenada in exploring a development path suited to its own national conditions, and stands ready to work with Grenada to open up new prospects for bilateral cooperation.

Andall said that China, a great ancient civilization with great achievements in development today, has always fully respected and treated Grenada on an equal footing, and provided valuable support for Grenada’s economic development and improvement of people’s livelihood.

Continue reading Grenadian FM: China upholds justice in international affairs

CGTN interview with Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye

In this episode of the CGTN series Leaders Talk, Wang Guan interviews Évariste Ndayishimiye, the President of Burundi. The interview was filmed in Shanghai during the Burundian leader’s recent state visit to China.

Burundi is a small, landlocked country in east central Africa, sharing land borders with Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. It was colonised by Germany during the imperialist “scramble for Africa”. Following World War I, it was handed to Belgium under a League of Nations mandate and after World War II was made a so-called United Nations Trust Territory, finally winning national independence in 1962.

Burundi established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China the year after it obtained independence, making this year the 60th anniversary of their bilateral ties. 

They have been 60 years of fruitful cooperation, leading President Xi Jinping, in his meeting with his Burundian counterpart, to describe the relationship of one of all-weather friendship. For his part, President Ndayishimiye, who was making his first visit to China as president, but who has previously visited the country on a number of occasions, describes the relationship as one of friendship, solidarity and brotherhood. If there is one country, he says, that always stands with Burundi, whether in good times or bad, it’s China, which is always the first to come to his country’s support in times of difficulty.

Whenever he visits China, Ndayishimiye is keen to delve deeply into the lessons provided by China’s development. His ambition is for Burundi to become an emerging country by 2040 and a developed country by 2060. China, he notes, has become a global power in a very short time, so it is possible. He seeks to learn from China by reorganising his own country to work for the people’s well-being.

Ninety per cent of Burundi’s population currently works in agriculture, so this sector is also the foundation of its collaboration with China. Since 2009, under the auspices of FOCAC (the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation), agricultural experts from China have introduced various hybrid rice strains to Burundi, leading to a huge increase in the country’s food production. President Ndayishimiye praises the role of Chinese experts, who “work with our people shoulder-to-shoulder on the ground.”

However, China’s assistance to Burundi does not stop at agriculture, but also embraces such sectors as healthcare, education and infrastructure, including energy, roads and the expansion of the international airport in the country’s largest city and former capital, Bujumbura. 

Burundi’s president is scathing about the record and legacy of European colonialism in his country. “Burundi is like a big family, but the colonisers’ strategy was to divide in order to rule over the resistant people.” He contrasts this to China and utterly refutes any suggestion of “Chinese colonialism” in Africa. He has studied Chinese history and the country was itself once a victim of colonialism. A devout Christian, the president invokes words from the Bible when he insists that China does not believe in doing unto others what has been done unto itself. Interestingly, almost the identical words can be found in the sayings of the Chinese sage Confucius. According to Ndayishimiye, the colonial powers are simply judging China by their own standards.

The full interview with President Évariste Ndayishimiye is embedded below.

China, Benin establish strategic partnership

Patrice Athanase Guillaume Talon, President of the Republic of Benin, paid a state visit to China at the invitation of his counterpart Xi Jinping at the beginning of September. The West African country has long enjoyed friendly relations with China and the two countries announced the establishment of a strategic partnership during Talon’s visit.

The two heads of state held talks on Friday September 1st. Xi Jinping said that: “China attaches great importance to developing relations with Benin, and is willing to maintain closer exchanges at all levels, deepen friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and push bilateral relations to a new level.”

Expounding on the essential connotations of Chinese modernisation, Xi said that China has embarked on a modernisation path different from that of the West. He noted that the key is always adhering to China’s national conditions and the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

China supports Benin in independently exploring a development path suited to its actual conditions, and stands ready to strengthen exchanges of governance experience with Benin, share experience in reform and development, firmly support each other, and achieve common development, Xi said.

He also underlined bilateral cooperation in education, health care, and the construction of the Luban Workshop, a project named after the ancient Chinese craftsman Lu Ban to provide vocational skills training for local people.

Xi called on the two sides to strengthen counterterrorism and security cooperation, work closely to coordinate in international affairs, safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice, and safeguard regional and global peace and development.

He said 2023 marks 10 years since he proposed China’s Africa policy with the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith. Over the past decade, China has treated its African friends with sincerity and provided sincere support for Africa’s development. China-Africa cooperation has become a model for South-South cooperation and international cooperation with Africa.

Xi added that China supports Africa in becoming an important pole in the world’s political, economic and civilisational development, and stands ready to provide new opportunities for Africa alongside China’s development. China will work with African countries, including Benin, to implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and facilitate the further alignment of initiatives put forward by the Chinese side, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, with the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 and the development strategies of African countries.

Talon said China is a great friend of Benin and the two peoples share a profound and sincere friendship. High-quality, mutually beneficial cooperation between Benin and China will strongly promote Benin’s industrialisation process and help it better achieve national development.

There should be more than one model of democracy, and genuine democracy should benefit all people. In this regard, China has set a good example for other countries, he said.

Benin has benefited significantly from China’s experience in governance, and is willing to build a true strategic partnership with China, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and realise national development and prosperity as China has done, Talon added.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents on deepening Belt and Road cooperation, green development, the digital economy, agricultural food, health and other fields.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang also met President Talon on the same day. Noting that Benin is an important partner to China in West Africa, Li said the two countries have always maintained sincere and friendly relations, which have become a model of mutual respect and equal treatment among developing countries.

Noting that China is Benin’s long-term friendly partner and the cooperation between the two countries has yielded fruitful results, Talon said China has set an example of development for Benin and other African countries.

He thanked China for the support and assistance it has provided to Benin and other African countries over the years.

Talon added that Benin is willing to learn from China’s development experience and to deepen cooperation in such areas as industry, agriculture, investment and education, promote the continuous development of bilateral relations, and contribute to the construction of a community with a shared future.

The following articles were originally carried by the Xinhua News Agency.

China, Benin establish strategic partnership as heads of state hold talks in Beijing

Xinhua, 2 September 2023

BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Beninese counterpart, Patrice Athanase Guillaume Talon, announced the establishment of a China-Benin strategic partnership on Friday.

The announcement was made when Xi held talks with Talon, who is in China on a state visit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

During their talks, Xi noted that China-Benin relations have enjoyed a sound development momentum in recent years, with solid progress achieved in practical cooperation.

The two countries have provided support for issues related to each other’s core interests and major concerns, and maintained sound communication and coordination during multilateral events, Xi said.

Continue reading China, Benin establish strategic partnership

China and Nicaragua sign free trade agreement

China and Nicaragua signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in a virtual ceremony held on August 31st. Nicaragua was represented by Laureano Ortega Murillo, Presidential Advisor for the Promotion of Investments, Trade and International Cooperation, and China by Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.

Laureano Ortega said that it was a historic day, adding that:

“The signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Nicaragua and China will mark a before and after for the Nicaraguan people. It opens the doors to a huge market and will allow us to link up with the companies and businessmen of this sister country.”

“We are convinced that this will generate economic and social benefits for Nicaraguan families, new investments, the creation of more jobs, and the transfer of technologies from China to Nicaragua. It will also provide the opportunity for a greater presence of China in Nicaragua and we reiterate that Nicaragua must be considered by China as a commercial platform for the entire Central American region”.

He pointed out that the relations between the two countries are based on mutual respect and on recognising each other as allies and strategic partners, and this is the only way to explain why they have managed to complete the FTA negotiations in just one year.

This is a significant point as FTA negotiations are generally regarded as one of the most intricate areas of diplomacy and can often take years to negotiate.

Minister Wang Wentao said that the signing of the FTA is the result of the diplomatic relations between China and Nicaragua, which are under the personal attention and leadership of the two presidents, and the mutual trust of the two countries that has been growing through substantial cooperation and has advanced at high speed and at a high level, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.

Laureano, at the end of the signing expressed that:

“We reiterate our deep gratitude to the brother government and people of the People’s Republic of China for the signing of the Free Trade Agreement. We promise to carry out the corresponding actions for its entry into force in January 2024. Today in Nicaragua a sun illuminates us and shines brighter in the light of the signing of this agreement that fills us with hope and optimism. We feel strengthened and we are certain that from now on we will see the fruits of this work with the greatest presence of Chinese brothers in our country that will promote economic and social development on the path to prosperity.”

In its report, China Daily noted comments from Dong Jingsheng, deputy director of Peking University’s Latin America Research Centre, who observed that China and Nicaragua are at different phases of development with high economic complementarity in industrial structures and diversity in resources.

He added that the signing of the FTA will foster a more favourable climate for expanding trade and investment partnerships and give both nations’ long-term growth a boost.

China will offer a sizable market for Nicaragua’s high-quality agricultural and aquatic products, and Nicaragua could import goods such as computers, motorcycles and communication equipment, Dong said.

Meanwhile, Chinese enterprises, with their comparative advantages in capital, technology, and managerial experience, could scale up investment and cooperation in sectors including infrastructure, manufacturing, and telecommunications, to increase local employment opportunities, improve public welfare and drive sustainable growth, he added.

The same day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin described the FTA as the most important achievement in the bilateral practical cooperation since the resumption of diplomatic relations.

“Since the two countries resumed diplomatic relations, we have witnessed leapfrog development in bilateral relations, deepening political mutual trust and fruitful practical cooperation. The dividends of resuming diplomatic relations continue to be felt. These have fully proved that the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nicaragua is in line with the trend of history and the times and serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples”.

The following articles were originally carried by Kawsachun News, China Daily and Xinhua News Agency.

Nicaragua & China Sign Free Trade Agreement

Kawsachun News, 31 August 2023

In a virtual ceremony, Nicaragua and the People’s Republic of China made history with the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that will allow a better and greater commercial and economic exchange between the two nations.

Nicaragua was represented by Laureano Ortega Murillo, Presidential Advisor for the Promotion of Investments, Trade and International Cooperation; the Minister of Finance and Credit, Iván Acosta and the Minister of Public Works, Industry and Commerce, Jesús Bermúdez. The Chinese delegation headed by Mr. Wang Wentao, head of Chinese Commerce.

Laureano Ortega Murillo expressed on behalf of the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity that it was a historic day.

“The signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Nicaragua and China will mark a before and after for the Nicaraguan people. It opens the doors to a huge market and will allow us to link up with the companies and businessmen of this sister country”, indicated Ortega Murillo.

“We are convinced that this will generate economic and social benefits for Nicaraguan families, new investments, the creation of more jobs, the transfer of technologies from China to Nicaragua. It will also provide the opportunity for a greater presence of China in Nicaragua and we reiterate that Nicaragua must be considered by China as a commercial platform for the entire Central American region”, he added.

Continue reading China and Nicaragua sign free trade agreement

Cleverly’s Beijing mission a welcome contrast to backbench warmongering

The following Morning Star editorial discusses British foreign secretary James Cleverly’s recent visit to Beijing.

Before setting off, Cleverly observed that “no significant global problem – from climate change to pandemic prevention, from economic instability to nuclear proliferation – can be solved without China.” This is certainly true. Furthermore Britain would derive clear economic benefits from improved Britain-China relations.

Unfortunately, as the editorial points out, Cleverly’s relatively balanced position stands in stark contrast to that found elsewhere in parliament, “where the foreign select committee not only urges Aukus expansion but calls for Britain to join another anti-China military bloc, the Quad, a prescription for miring us still deeper in the preparations for a Pacific war that a US general has predicted for the year after next.”

What’s more, the basic political dynamics underlying the deterioration in relations have not meaningfully changed. The US is leading a New Cold War that includes military encirclement (via AUKUS, war games, freedom of navigation assertions and so on), attempting to stoke conflict across the Taiwan Strait, sanctions, tariffs, and a vicious propaganda war. Britain has involved itself in all of this. Prioritising our status as a loyal junior partner to US imperialism has become a consensus position in British politics.

The editorial concludes that a powerful mass peace movement is a necessary force to counter the Cold Warriors in Westminster.

The Foreign Secretary’s visit to Beijing is a welcome attempt to keep communications open with an economic, scientific and technological giant.

James Cleverly is spot on when he says global problems cannot be addressed without China, whether we are talking about climate change, co-operation on pandemics or — the elephant in the room given the feverish warmongering on Tory back benches — avoiding World War III.

The government’s attitude contrasts favourably to that of critics like ex-work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith. For Duncan Smith, for whom “anything to do with China is a security threat,” simply holding talks with Chinese leaders is “appeasement.”

Labour’s David Lammy does not go quite so far, though he calls on Cleverly to secure “tangible diplomatic wins” such as the removal of sanctions on British parliamentarians.

Continue reading Cleverly’s Beijing mission a welcome contrast to backbench warmongering

China is a friend and strategic ally of Syria

Chinese embassies around the world organised celebrations for the 96th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which fell on August 1st.

At a reception held in the Syrian capital Damascus on July 25, China’s Defence Attaché said in his speech that the friendship between the two countries has a deep-rooted history, noting that despite the changes in the international and regional situation, they have always supported each other.

Describing Syria as a “loyal friend” of China, he noted that the practical cooperation between the Chinese and Syrian armies has witnessed continuous development in recent years and exchanges in the security and military field have yielded fruitful results.

He confirmed that his country will continue its strong support for the Syrian army’s struggle to preserve national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and for its efforts in combating terrorism and restoring national security and stability.

Responding, Syria’s Defence Minister, Major General Ali Mahmoud Abbas praised China’s stance, army, people, and leadership for its standing by Syria and its just causes during the unjust and aggressive war that was waged against it.

Director of the Diplomatic Institute at the Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Ministry, Dr. Imad Mustafa told reporters that China is a friend and strategic ally of Syria and it serves as the guarantor of a new multipolar world, which puts an end to US hegemony in the international arena.

The following report was originally published by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

Damascus, SANA- The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China held Tuesday a reception ceremony on the 96th anniversary of founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.

The Defense Attaché at Chinese Embassy in Damascus said in a speech that the friendship between Syria and his country has deep-rooted history, noting that despite the changes in the international and regional situation, the two countries have always supported each other.

The Defense Attaché described Syria as a “loyal friend” of China, and that the relationship between the two countries is a model for friendly relations between countries with different locations, cultures and systems.

He noted that the practical cooperation between the Chinese and Syrian armies has witnessed continuous development in recent years, and exchanges in the security and military field have yielded fruitful results.

He confirmed that his country will continue its strong support for the Syrian army’s struggle to preserve national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and for its efforts in combating terrorism and restoring national security and stability.

He expressed his country’s desire to push forward the practical cooperation between the two armies in various fields.

In turn, Defense Minister, Major Gen. Ali Mahmoud Abbas praised China’s stance, army, people, and leadership for its standing by Syrian and it’s just causes during the unjust and aggressive war that was waged against it.

Minister Abbas stressed that Syria seeks to constantly boost the relationship between the two countries, which extends back decades, in a way that serves the common interest to achieve prosperity for the two peoples and achieve a better future.

The Minister of Defense congratulated China and its people on the anniversary of the establishment of its army, which coincides on 1 August with the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Syrian Arab Army.

He pointed out to the commitment of the two armies since their establishment to a good relationship that reflects the deep-rooted relation binding both countries.

Director of the Diplomatic Institute at the Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Ministry, Dr. Imad Mustafa told the reporters that China is a friend and strategic ally of Syria, and it serves as the guarantor of a new multipolar world in which it puts an end to American hegemony in the international arena.

Remarks by Xi Jinping at China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue

Following the BRICS Summit, held in the South African city of Johannesburg, the host, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping jointly convened the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue on August 24.

Among those joining them were Comorian President Azali Assoumani, who is currently the Chairperson of the African Union (AU); Senegalese President Macky Sall, who is also the African Co-chair of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC); presidents of Zambia, Burundi, Djibouti, the Republic of the Congo, and Namibia; and leaders of Chad, Libya, and Nigeria, representing sub-regional organisations.

In his address to the meeting, Xi Jinping noted that this was his tenth visit to the continent, and “each time, I feel the new development and changes in Africa.”

“Over the past 60 years, under the banner of Pan-Africanism, African countries have made big strides on the path of independence, seeking strength through unity and integration. You have demonstrated the strength of Africa in the struggles to uphold multilateralism and the common interests of developing countries.”

Xi went on to say that, after becoming Chinese President in 2013, he visited Africa on his first foreign trip. Over the subsequent decade, “together with our African friends and drawing strength from the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, we have pressed ahead on the path of solidarity and cooperation, stood for justice amid shifting global dynamics, and looked out for each other in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

He proposed three key areas for China and Africa to intensify their joint work:

  • To promote a just and equitable international order. We should carry forward the spirit of sticking together in times of adversity, practice true multilateralism, and unequivocally oppose vestiges of colonialism and hegemonism in all forms.
  • To safeguard a peaceful and secure global environment. We should uphold harmonious coexistence between people and nature and protect the security of the global eco-environment.
  • To work together to build an open and inclusive world economy.

Xi Jinping said that there are various paths leading to modernisation. “The African people have the most say on which path suits Africa best. Advancing modernisation through integration is the independent choice made by African countries and people. On this path to modernisation, China has all along been a firm supporter, and walking side by side with Africa.”

He also said that China will:

  • Launch an initiative on Supporting Africa’s Industrialisation.
  • Launch a plan to support Africa’s Agricultural Modernisation.
  • Launch a plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development.

Concluding, President Xi said that China will host the FOCAC meeting next year and declared:

“I am confident that China and Africa will carry forward the traditional friendship, enhance solidarity and coordination, and bolster our cooperation across the board. As we join hands to advance modernisation, we will deliver a better future for the Chinese and African people, and set a fine example in the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.”

The following is the full text of President Xi’s remarks. It was originally published by the Xinhua News Agency.

Your Excellency President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa,

Your Excellencies Heads of State,

Colleagues,

It is a great pleasure to co-chair with President Ramaphosa the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue. I feel a particular warmth seeing my African friends face to face after five years, to celebrate our friendship and chart the way forward for our cooperation. I wish to thank all the colleagues for attending the dialogue, and send sincere greetings to leaders of other African countries who are not with us today.

Africa is a fertile land of hope in the 21st century. This is my 10th visit to the continent. Each time, I feel the new development and changes in Africa. As the Organization of African Unity marks its 60th anniversary this year, I wish to convey heartfelt congratulations to you all and to the African people.

Over the past 60 years, under the banner of Pan-Africanism, African countries have made big strides on the path of independence, seeking strength through unity and integration. You have demonstrated the strength of Africa in the struggles to uphold multilateralism and the common interests of developing countries. With steady progress under Agenda 2063 of the African Union (AU), the official launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and growing coordination among the subregional groups, Africa is becoming an important pole with global influence.

In 2013 after I became Chinese President, I was here in Africa for my first foreign visit and announced the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith for China’s Africa policy. Over the past 10 years, China has stayed committed to this principle. Together with our African friends and drawing strength from the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, we have pressed ahead on the path of solidarity and cooperation, stood for justice amid shifting global dynamics, and looked out for each other in face of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have taken China-Africa relations to new heights and entered the new stage of jointly building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

Continue reading Remarks by Xi Jinping at China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue

Xi Jinping meets with national leaders of Malawi, Republic of Congo, Namibia, Tanzania and Iran

On the final day, August 24, of his recent visit to South Africa, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a further round of bilateral meetings with other national leaders on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

Meeting Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, Xi said that China supports Malawi in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and stands ready to continuously offer whatever help China can to the country in its socio-economic development.

For his part, Chakwera noted that China is always the first to lend a helping hand to Malawi when the latter faces difficulties, adding that during his recent visit to China, he was not only warmly received, but also truly felt that China is Malawi’s true friend, brother and partner.

China will, as always, firmly support the Republic of the Congo in safeguarding its national independence and opposing foreign interference, the Chinese President said, whilst meeting his Congolese counterpart, Denis Sassou Nguesso.

Calling Sassou Nguesso an old friend and good friend of the Chinese people, Xi pointed out that the sound development of bilateral relations is inseparable from the fact that Sassou Nguesso attaches great importance to and sticks to friendship with China.

Noting that next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Xi said China is ready to make joint plans and hold grand celebrations with the Congolese side.

Sassou Nguesso said Xi’s successful state visit to the Republic of the Congo in 2013 remains fresh in his memory, adding that Chinese enterprises have undertaken many national construction projects in his country, and friendship and cooperation with China are important factors for the country’s continuous development.

China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Namibia in various fields, including in clean energy, and will encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in the country, Xi Jinping said, when meeting with his Namibian counterpart, Hage Geingob.

Xi said President Geingob is an old friend of the Chinese people, who has deep affection for China. The Chinese side greatly appreciates the president’s firm support for China’s position on issues of core interests, and his delivering justice and speaking out for righteousness in international affairs.

Xi pointed out that China and Africa share similar historical experiences and hard struggle, adding that China insists on equality and mutual respect between big and small countries.

The Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people to successfully build socialism with Chinese characteristics, while at the same time making efforts to push forward the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said.

Through proposing a series of initiatives such as the Belt and Road cooperation, Xi added, China offers opportunities to developing countries to realise joint development and prosperity, and fights for more equal rights for developing nations.

For his part, Geingob said Namibia and China enjoy long-term friendship. China is an all-weather friend, and even more so a friend who you can count on when in difficulty. The Namibian side is deeply grateful to China’s firm support in the various causes of fighting for national independence and emancipation as well as national development.

He said as a leader of a global major country, President Xi has led the Chinese people to achieve remarkable accomplishments, and treats African leaders with equality and humility, which is very touching.

The Namibian side has been greatly inspired by the thoughts on socialism with Chinese characteristics, and is exploring a modernization path with Namibian characteristics, Geingob noted.

Geingob is President both of the Republic of Namibia and of the South West African People’s Organisation (SWAPO) of Namibia. At its 2017 Congress, SWAPO formally adopted socialism with Namibian characteristics as its official ideology.

Meeting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Xi said that stronger China-Africa cooperation under the current international situation is conducive to the unity among developing countries, as well as to safeguarding their legitimate development interests.

He pointed out that Hassan’s successful visit to China in November last year was a highlight moment in China-Tanzania relations. China-Tanzania cooperation has always been at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation, and the Tanzania-Zambia Railway is a beautiful memory shared by the people of China and Tanzania.

Noting that next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Tanzania diplomatic ties, Xi said China is willing to take the opportunity of jointly celebrating this anniversary to continuously work with Tanzania in firmly supporting each other’s core interests and major concerns while deepening strategic cooperation.

Noting that Tanzania and China have maintained close exchanges at all levels and that cooperation projects have progressed smoothly, President Hassan said Tanzania highly appreciates China’s valuable support for and assistance to the development of developing countries. Tanzania and other developing countries have all benefited a lot from the Belt and Road cooperation and other major initiatives proposed by Xi, she said.

Meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Xi said that China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Iran on BRICS and other multilateral platforms, so as to push for healthy and robust development of multilateralism.

Xi congratulated Iran on becoming a member of BRICS, stressing that it is a historic event that the BRICS summit, with joint efforts of all parties, has made the decision to expand. All the new members are countries with important influence, Xi said, expressing confidence that they will have a major impact on the world.

The BRICS Summit agreed to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to join the cooperation mechanism from January 2024, in what the host, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described as, “the first phase of the expansion process.” More than 40 countries have expressed an interest to join, with more than 20 having already submitted formal applications.

Xi said that since Raisi’s successful visit to China in February this year, the two countries have wasted no time to implement the consensus reached between the two leaders, which has achieved positive results. He added that he is glad that with the joint efforts of China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iran and Saudi Arabia have achieved reconciliation, which has promoted security and stability in the Middle East.

For his part, Raisi said Iran highly appreciates and thanks China for supporting Iran in becoming a full member of BRICS, which will provide fresh momentum for the development of Iran-China relations.

The Iranian President expressed gratitude for Xi’s important role in promoting dialogue and reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, adding that the expansion of BRICS shows that unilateralism is going downhill.

The following articles were published by the Xinhua News Agency.

Xi says China supports Malawi in exploring development path suited to its national conditions

JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) — China supports Malawi in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and stands ready to continuously offer whatever help China can to the country in its socio-economic development, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Thursday.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with his Malawian counterpart, Lazarus Chakwera, on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit.

Xi said he appreciates Chakwera for upholding the one-China principle since taking office.

It is hoped that China and Malawi can continuously support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, push for new results in practical cooperation between the two countries, and promote ever-new development of bilateral relations, he said.

China is willing to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with Malawi and other developing countries, and advance the development of the international order in a more equal and just direction, he said.

For his part, Chakwera noted that China is always the first to lend a helping hand to Malawi when the latter faces difficulties, adding that during his recent visit to China, he was not only warmly received, but also truly felt that China is Malawi’s true friend, brother and partner.

Malawi firmly adheres to the one-China policy, he said, adding that the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Xi is conducive to the common development of developing countries.

Chakwera added that Malawi is willing to continuously deepen friendship and cooperation with China. 

Continue reading Xi Jinping meets with national leaders of Malawi, Republic of Congo, Namibia, Tanzania and Iran

Xi Jinping meets with national leaders of Cuba, Ethiopia, Senegal and Bangladesh

During his recent visit to South Africa, Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit with a number of national leaders.

On August 23, he met with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Senegalese President Macky Sall and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Meeting his Cuban counterpart, Xi said that China will continue to firmly support Cuba in defending national sovereignty and opposing external interference and blockade. China will also try its best to provide support for Cuba’s economic and social development.

The Chinese President added that his country will work with Cuba to continue deepening political mutual trust, expanding practical cooperation, strengthening strategic coordination, and pushing for progress in the special friendly relationship between the two parties and the two countries. China praises Cuba’s steadfast support for China in issues concerning its core interests.

Xi stressed that the Group of 77 and China is an important platform for cooperation among developing countries, adding that Cuba, as the current chair of the Group of 77 and China, has made positive contributions to strengthening the unity of developing countries.

China attaches great importance to and supports Cuba in successfully holding the Group of 77 and China Summit next month, Xi noted. China is willing to work with Cuba and other members of the Group of 77 to better safeguard the common interests and development rights of developing countries, he added.

For his part, Diaz-Canel spoke of his successful state visit to China last November, saying that both sides are earnestly implementing the important consensus reached by the two leaders.

He said the current Cuba-China relations are at a historical peak, adding that the Cuban people deeply admire President Xi and are grateful for China’s understanding and invaluable support for Cuba’s just cause.

Cuba is ready to work with China to deepen Belt and Road cooperation, build a Cuba-China community with a shared future, and advance on their paths of socialism with their respective characteristics.

Meeting Prime Minister Abiy Ahmad, Xi said that China is a reliable friend and a true partner of Ethiopia.

China attaches great importance to its relations with Ethiopia and supports its domestic peace process, development, and revitalization, he said, adding that China stands ready to work with Ethiopia to promote bilateral exchanges and to expand all-round cooperation, so that bilateral friendship can enjoy greater popular support and the China-Ethiopia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership can witness further development.

The friendship between Ethiopia and China is profound and the relations between the two countries have maintained good development momentum, said Ahmed, extending his sincere appreciation for the massive and valuable support China has offered for a long time.

Thanks to the help from and cooperation with China, Ethiopia has achieved significant development and transformations in recent years, said the Ethiopian Prime Minister, noting that the two countries share similar experiences and have common stands on many major issues.

Meeting with President Macky Sall, Xi noted that Senegal is an important partner of China in Africa, adding that, with joint efforts in recent years, the two countries have enjoyed ever-deepening political mutual trust and fruitful cooperation in various fields. He said that China supports the African Union in joining the Group of 20 and stands ready to share with African brothers its development experience and opportunities, and push for the joint pursuit of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, by continuously upholding the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and pursuing the greater good and shared interests.

As co-chairs of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China and Senegal have supported and cooperated with each other and successfully held a series of important events including the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19, he said.

President Sall thanked China for taking the lead in publicly supporting the AU’s G20 membership, saying that his country, as a co-chair of FOCAC, will continue to closely communicate and work with China to promote the further development of Africa-China relations.

Meeting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Xi said that China and Bangladesh enjoy traditional friendship, adding that the two sides upgraded bilateral ties in 2016 to a strategic cooperative partnership, which has indicated the direction for deepening their cooperation.

At present, both China and Bangladesh are at a critical stage of their own development and revitalization, and the Chinese side is willing to strengthen the synergy of development strategies with Bangladesh, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, push the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership to a new level, and better benefit the people of the two countries.

Xi also said that China supports Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and in opposing external interference, so that the country can maintain domestic unity and stability and achieve development and revitalization.

He extended congratulations to the prime minister on her country’s joining the New Development Bank, saying that China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Bangladesh in multilateral affairs and to safeguard international equity and justice as well as the shared interests of developing countries.

Hasina noted that Xi’s state visit to Bangladesh in 2016 has become a milestone in bilateral ties. She added that the sound Bangladesh-China relationship is based on mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. Bangladesh, she said, firmly adheres to the one-China policy and appreciates China’s important role in promoting regional peace and stability, adding that her country is ready to deepen ties with China and to strengthen cooperation in multilateral mechanisms such as BRICS.

It is believed that the development of the BRICS mechanism will bring new development opportunities to developing countries, she added.

The following articles were originally carried by the Xinhua News Agency.

Xi pledges China’s continuous support for Cuba in opposing interference

JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Wednesday that China will continue to firmly support Cuba in defending national sovereignty and opposing external interference and blockade.

China will also try its best to provide support for Cuba’s economic and social development, said Xi in a meeting with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on the sidelines of the 15th BRICS Summit.

Xi recalled that President Diaz-Canel paid a successful state visit to China last November, when they reached a broad consensus on further deepening China-Cuba ties in the new era and agreed to work together to build a China-Cuba community with a shared future.

Continue reading Xi Jinping meets with national leaders of Cuba, Ethiopia, Senegal and Bangladesh

South Africa and China have an unbreakable bond

Chinese President Xi Jinping paid his fourth state visit to the Republic of South Africa immediately before the country hosted the BRICS Summit.

Meeting his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa in the capital Pretoria on August 22, the two leaders agreed to work together to take the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights and to build a high-quality China-South Africa community with a shared future.

To this end, President Xi made four proposals:

  • China and South Africa should be strategic partners with a high degree of mutual trust. Comradeship and brotherhood are inherent to the bilateral relationship.
  • China and South Africa should be development partners making progress together. Mutual benefits and win-win are defining features of their cooperation.
  • China and South Africa should be friendly partners enjoying mutual understanding. Close ties between the two peoples are a vivid example of amity between the two countries.
  • China and South Africa should be global partners with a commitment to justice. Independence is a principle upheld by both countries.

President Ramaphosa noted that it is a great pleasure to receive President Xi Jinping for his fourth state visit to South Africa. China lent precious support to South Africa during its struggles for national independence and liberation and in its pursuit of national development. China gave South Africa much-needed support in difficult times such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. China is a true friend, brother, and partner of South Africa.

The South African leader went on to say that the world today is faced with geopolitical challenges, energy crises and many other serious and complex issues. He fully agrees with President Xi Jinping’s proposal for win-win cooperation. South Africa and other countries in the Global South all hope to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China to better meet challenges together, and promote an international order that is more egalitarian, just, and equitable.

Following their talks, President Ramaphosa awarded Xi the Order of South Africa, his country’s highest honour for heads of state of friendly countries. The two leaders also witnessed the signing of various bilateral cooperation agreements, and the two sides also agreed a 15-point Joint Statement.

In a related report, the Xinhua News Agency, noted that: “Amidst Western media’s distorted reports accusing China of ‘colonising’ African nations, including South Africa, it is notable that South Africans describe their relationship with China as one of ‘comradeship’ and ‘brotherly friendship’.”

This sense of unity stems from China’s support to the South African people in fighting apartheid, and standing with the African National Congress (ANC) as comrades and friends, according to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula. Apart from strong economic links, “it is a relationship that is formed by ties of anti-imperialism,” he said in an interview on the eve of the Chinese President’s visit.

President Xi’s visit is one of comradeship between the two presidents in strengthening this important relationship, which spans decades and decades, between the African National Congress and the Communist Party of China, he added.

Sifiso Mahlangu, editor-in-chief of South Africa’s leading newspaper, The Star, said that South Africa and China have an unbreakable bond:

“Our history dictates that China has been our friend. The Chinese people, the People’s Republic of China, and the Communist Party of China have been the friends of the South African people.”

The following articles were originally carried on the websites of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Xinhua News Agency.

President Xi Jinping Held Talks with President of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 23 August 2023

On the morning of August 22 local time, President Xi Jinping held talks with President of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria during his state visit to the country. The two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on the development of China-South Africa relations in the new era and international and regional issues of mutual interest, and they reached important common understandings. They agreed to work together to take the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights and build a high-quality China-South Africa community with a shared future.

Under a bright sky in August in Pretoria, flowers at the square of the Union Buildings were in blossom, while national flags of China and South Africa were waving in the gentle breeze. President Xi Jinping arrived at the Union Buildings in the presidential motorcade, and was warmly greeted by President Ramaphosa when getting off the limousine. As the two heads of state stepped onto the stand, a guard of honor saluted with rifles. The military band played the national anthems of China and South Africa, and a 21-gun salute was fired. President Xi Jinping reviewed the guard of honor of South Africa. The two presidents shook hands with senior members of the delegations.

The two heads of state held talks after the welcoming ceremony.

President Xi Jinping noted that it was his fourth visit to South Africa as Chinese President. He said that he has personally experienced the robust growth of China-South Africa relations over the past decade. The key to the strong relationship and profound friendship lies in the mutual support by the two countries and the two political parties in pursuit of their respective development. China is advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, while South Africa is exploring a path toward modernization that suits its own national conditions. China is ready to work with South Africa to carry forward the friendship, deepen cooperation, and strengthen coordination, in an effort to take the China-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights and build a high-quality China-South Africa community with a shared future.

In this connection, President Xi Jinping made four proposals.

First, China and South Africa should be strategic partners with a high degree of mutual trust. Comradeship and brotherhood are inherent to the bilateral relationship. The two sides need to step up exchange and cooperation between legislatures, political parties, the military and subnational governments, and continue to support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and key concerns. China is ready to step up exchanges between political parties and cooperation on training, and will do its best to help the African National Congress develop the African Leadership Academy. 

Continue reading South Africa and China have an unbreakable bond

US steps up effort to drive a wedge between Vietnam and China

In this article, which was originally carried in People’s World, Amiad Horowitz takes up a recent off-handed comment by US President Joe Biden, that he intends to travel to Vietnam shortly, noting that CNN described it as another attempt to “counter China’s influence.” Amiad further identified this as “part of the US’ new Cold War aimed at China and other socialist and progressive states, [with] leaders in Washington [hoping] to drive a wedge between China and Vietnam.”

Amiad notes that Washington has now been pursuing this policy for years, but with little success. Going along with this, he explains, “would go against the established tenets and guidelines of Vietnam’s foreign policy.”

The US has remained undeterred, but as “the Biden administration amps up the tensions in Asia, the Chinese and Vietnamese governments have chosen to pursue a path of cooperation and peace.”

To illustrate his argument, Amiad refers to high-level diplomatic meetings between the two socialist countries on August 9 and 10 as well as to other recent encounters:

“In fact, as the two largest socialist countries, their relationship takes on a special significance, a relationship of ‘brothers plus comrades’, as a joint statement put it in November last year.”

Immediately following the original publication of this article, on August 16, China’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Kunming the provincial capital of Yunnan, with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang.

Wang Yi told his visitor that, as neighbouring countries sharing the same ideology, “the two sides should prepare for the next stage of high-level exchanges.” They should also, Wang added, jointly uphold the ideals and beliefs of the communist party and the cause of socialism.

Tran was attending the Seventh China-South Asia Expo, along with other senior leaders from countries in the region, including Laos, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Amiad Horowitz studied at the Academy of Journalism and Communications at Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics. He lives in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi.

Last Tuesday, in an offhanded remark, President Joe Biden mentioned that he intends to travel to Vietnam “shortly” as part of an effort “to change our relationship” with the country. While no official plan, agenda, or timeline was given, CNN was quick to report that the Biden administration continues to hope it will be able bring Vietnam into the campaign to “counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.”

As part of the U.S.’ new Cold War aimed at China and other socialist and progressive states, leaders in Washington hope to drive a wedge between China and Vietnam. The two socialist states share a border, and it appears U.S. imperialism is determined to integrate Vietnam into its strategy of encircling China from all sides.

While the United States has pursued this wedge policy toward Vietnam for years, it hasn’t met with much success so far. Any explicitly anti-China agreement with the U.S. would go against the established tenets and guidelines of Vietnam’s foreign policy, which include peaceful coexistence with all states, avoiding entanglement in any military alliances, and never using the threat of violence against another country.

Washington remains undeterred in its effort to draw Vietnam in, however. As the Biden administration amps up the tensions in Asia, the Chinese and Vietnamese governments have chosen to pursue a path of cooperation and peace.

Continue reading US steps up effort to drive a wedge between Vietnam and China

China and South Africa join hands to build a high-level community with a shared future

The annual BRICS Summit will be held in the Republic of South Africa in late August and coinciding with this, Chinese President Xi Jinping has also been invited to pay a state visit by his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa.

As these events draw near, China’s Ambassador to South Africa, Chen Xiaodong, contributed an article, which we reprint below, to IOL (Independent Online), a leading South African news website.

Ambassador Chen states that: “As developing countries with significant influence in the world, China and South Africa share a special bond of ‘comradeship plus brotherhood’. Our friendship was forged during the fight against imperialism, colonialism and racism, and has deepened in the process of win-win cooperation and common development.”

Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic ties between the two countries, Chen observes that their relations have become a model for China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation.

China has been South Africa’s largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years, and South Africa is one of the largest investment destinations for Chinese enterprises in Africa, with Chinese investment so far totaling more than 25 billion dollars and creating over 400,000 jobs.

China, Ambassador Chen writes, “feels for the pain of South African people as they suffer from power shortages. It has provided South Africa with emergency power equipment, and organised the China-South Africa New Energy Investment and Co-operation Conference to expand new energy investment and cooperation between the two sides.”

Cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries are also thriving. Now that China has resumed outbound group travel since the beginning of the year, a a large number of Chinese tourists have come to South Africa to enjoy the country’s beautiful scenery. And South Africa has incorporated the Chinese language into its national education system.

In May, the Chinese national table tennis team came to Durban to participate in the World Table Tennis Championships Finals and achieved great results, which set off a ‘table tennis craze’ in South Africa.

Chen Xiaodong was an Assistant Foreign Minister before taking up his present appointment. His previous postings include as Ambassador to Singapore and Iraq and as Minister at the Chinese Embassy in London.

As developing countries with significant influence in the world, China and South Africa share a special bond of “comradeship plus brotherhood”. Our friendship was forged during the fight against imperialism, colonialism and racism, and has deepened in the process of win-win cooperation and common development.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and South Africa. Over the past 25 years, our relations have made a significant leap from partnership to strategic partnership and to comprehensive strategic partnership, and have become a model for China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation.

In recent years, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Ramaphosa, our comprehensive strategic partnership has continued to move forward with higher quality, in a wider range and at a deeper level.

With the two heads of state steering the ship, strategic mutual trust has continued to deepen.

President Xi Jinping and President Ramaphosa have met, spoke on phone and exchanged letters dozens of times.

They have jointly attended multilateral meetings such as the BRICS Summit, the G20 Summit, and the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting. They have co-chaired the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against Covid-19, and have reached broad consensus on deepening the China-South Africa and China-Africa relations, as well as the solidarity and cooperation among developing countries.

Continue reading China and South Africa join hands to build a high-level community with a shared future