Category: International relations

Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço paid a state visit to China from 14-17 March at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.

Meeting President Xi on March 15, the two heads of state announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Noting that China and Angola jointly celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year, Xi said relations between the two countries have stood the test of international vicissitudes and benefitted the two peoples.

China-Angola cooperation is South-South cooperation and cooperation between developing countries, which is about mutual help between good friends, reciprocity and win-win cooperation.

In a world that is undergoing both transformation and upheaval, the two sides should continue their traditional friendship, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, firmly support each other, and achieve common development, Xi noted.

China supports Angola in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests, exploring a modernisation path suited to its national conditions, and realising national development and revitalisation.

He stressed that cooperation between China and Angola enjoys a sound foundation, large-scale and high complementarity, endowing huge potential and bright prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. The two sides should advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, synergise their development strategies, and improve the quality and effectiveness of their pragmatic cooperation.

China is ready to work with the Angolan side to implement key infrastructure projects, support competent Chinese enterprises to carry out various forms of cooperation in Angola, and help the country advance agricultural modernisation, industrialisation and economic diversification.

China will continue to send medical teams to Angola and implement other projects, provide scholarships to Angolan students, and enhance people-to-people exchanges and friendship.

Noting that at present, the collective rise of developing countries is unstoppable, Xi said the Global South must not be absent from global governance, or development and prosperity.

“China is a reliable friend and sincere partner for African countries in their efforts to safeguard independence and promote development and revitalisation.”

 China stands ready to strengthen multilateral coordination with Angola and other African countries to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalisation that benefits all and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, he added.

Saying that he felt at home when he came to China, President Lourenço said that China was the first country to provide valuable support, both when Angola was reeling from its civil war and when it was struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, and expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

“China’s support and cooperation have greatly promoted Angola’s infrastructure construction and economic and social development, setting a good example of mutually beneficial cooperation.”

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents regarding the Belt and Road cooperation plan, economy and trade, agriculture, green development and other fields.

The two sides also issued a joint statement on the establishment of a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Angola.

Reflecting the high degree of political unity and close friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries, the statement is broken into sections that deal with working together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, deepening high quality Belt and Road Cooperation, and implementing the three global initiatives on development, security and civilisation.

It notes that: “The two heads of state believe that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Angola in 1983, the friendship between the two countries has withstood the test of time and has endured for the benefit of the two peoples.

“In order to further consolidate political mutual trust and deepen and expand practical cooperation in various fields, the two heads of state decided to upgrade their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.”

On the question of building a community with a shared future for humanity, the two sides are willing to work together and to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world featuring lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.

They agreed that in view of a series of major issues and challenges facing the world today, all parties should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and economic globalisation that benefits all.

China reiterates its firm support for the Angolan people to independently choose a development path suited to their national conditions and for Angola to safeguard its national independence, sovereignty, security and interests. The Angolan side reaffirmed its firm adherence to the one-China principle, recognised that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and firmly supports all China’s efforts to achieve national reunification and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.

The two sides unanimously agreed that all countries, big or small, are equal, no matter what stage of development they are in, and that hegemonism and power politics should be resolutely opposed.

They reaffirmed their support for the authority of the United Nations and agreed on the need to reform the UN and its subsidiary bodies, especially the Security Council, to make them more responsive to the current situation, to expand the participation of developing countries, and to expand Africa’s representation and voice in the Security Council. 

The two sides agreed that climate change is a common challenge facing all humanity and requires the joint efforts of the international community to address it. Developed countries bear a historical responsibility for climate change and should take the lead in undertaking the obligation to reduce emissions substantially, and earnestly fulfil their commitments to provide financial, technological and capacity-building support to developing countries.

On Belt and Road cooperation, the two sides will establish a strategic partnership for green development, strengthen cooperation in environmental protection, climate change response, green economy, risk emergency mechanism construction, etc., expand mutually beneficial cooperation in renewable energy such as photovoltaic and wind energy, electric vehicles and other related industries, and promote energy transition and ensure energy security.

China encourages its enterprises to participate in investment projects that support the upgrading of the Angolan industrial chain and enhance the country’s capacity for independent development.

On the Global Development Initiative, China welcomes Angola’s formal entry into the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the two sides will promote practical cooperation in various fields under the framework of the GDI.

The two sides agreed to establish an investment cooperation working group mechanism to promote cooperation in the fields of digital economy, green development and blue economy.

Reflecting the increasing international moves by developing countries to promote dedollarisation, China and Angola agreed to encourage more use of local currencies in trade and investment and to facilitate enterprises of the two countries in reducing exchange costs. The two sides will also create a favourable policy environment for promoting local currency settlement.

On the Global Security Inititiative (GSI), Angola appreciates China’s positive role in promoting a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian issue. China appreciates President Lourenço’s active efforts to promote peace talks on international and regional hotspot issues such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) issue. 

And regarding the Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI), the two sides will strengthen cooperation in the field of health. China will continue to support the development of Angola’s public health system and continue to send medical teams to Angola. Angola thanked China for its continuous support to Angola in the field of health, especially during the pandemic.

In conclusion the statement says that: “The two sides agreed that the complete success of President Lourenço’s visit to China marks a new stage of development in China-Angola relations and is of great significance to promoting the building of a China-Angola community with a shared future. President Lourenço expressed his heartfelt thanks to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government and people for the warm and friendly reception they accorded during the visit, and invited President Xi Jinping to visit Angola at his convenience.”

Also on March 15, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with President Lourenço and called for deepened political mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation between their two countries.

Noting that China and Angola enjoy a profound traditional friendship and are good brothers and partners who trust each other, Li said that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two countries’ presidents, the two sides have adhered to the principles of sincerity, friendship, equality and mutual benefit, achieved fruitful results in cooperation in various fields, and continuously upgraded the level of strategic partnership.

Lourenço said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 41 years ago, bilateral relations have been strengthened, with huge potential for cooperation. Angola appreciates China’s precious support when his country was in the most difficult period, helping Angola to achieve rapid economic and social development, and to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The same day, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Zhao Leji also met with President Lourenço.

Zhao Leji said, China and Angola are good brothers and good partners with sincerity, real results, amity and good faith. Exchanges and cooperation between legislative bodies are important channels to enhance mutual understanding and trust between the two peoples. The NPC of China is willing to work with the National Assembly of Angola to strengthen exchanges between high-level legislative officials, special committees, bilateral friendship groups, and parliamentarians to provide legal guarantee for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

In a background article to the visit, Xinhua News Agency surveyed a number of key cooperation projects between the two countries. It reported that: “Located 18 km south of Luanda, Angola’s capital, the ‘new city,’ Kilamba stands prominently on the horizon. More than a decade after its completion, this monumental public welfare project, executed by Chinese firms, comprises 700 buildings and 20,000 housing units, providing contemporary living conditions for its 120,000 inhabitants.”

It added that, in 2010, Xi visited Angola, when the two countries announced the establishment of a strategic partnership. Xi personally inspected the project, spending half a day there, inspiring builders from China and Angola, it noted, adding: “Rising from once barren land, the new city is a testament to the accelerated cooperation between the two nations.”

Drummond Mafuta, president of the Board of Directors of Edicoes Novembro, one of Angola’s largest media groups, commented that when the Angolan civil war ended and the country needed reconstruction, China was the first to extend a helping hand. Friendship with China “is and will always be marked in the history of Angola’s reconstruction.”

Tiago Quissua Armando, a scholar at Angola’s Venancio de Moura Diplomacy Institute, saw the outcomes of the leaders’ talks as addressing vital issues for Angola, such as economic diversification, industrial investment and agricultural modernisation.

“President Lourenço’s visit also includes a trip to Shandong, a Chinese province with significant experience in the agricultural sector. Angola can benefit from this experience to enhance its local industry,” he noted.

Last year, Shandong province signed a friendly cooperation agreement with Bengo Province of Angola, committing to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, economy, trade and vocational education.

Xinhua also reported that the inauguration ceremony of the Chinese-donated Integrated Centre for Technological Training took place in Huambo City, Angola, on January 12. The 20,000-square-meter centre has 30 laboratories and six workshops covering robotics, mechanical processing, computer science and automotive repair. In its first phase, it plans to train 2,400 people annually.

Secretary of State for Labour and Social Security of Angola Pedro Filipe said that in recent years, vocational training and talent cultivation have become critical areas of cooperation between Angola and China.

In a separate interview with Xinhua, Rui Miguens de Oliveira, Angola’s minister of industry and commerce, speaking of Angola’s industrialisation process, expressed gratitude for China’s strong support in the post-war rebuilding and construction of new infrastructure.

The minister emphasised that the participation and presence of Chinese companies and financial resources were fundamental for the initial recovery of destroyed infrastructure, such as bridges, roads, energy transmission lines and water supply systems. “All of these are infrastructures necessary for general economic and social development, but particularly essential for our industry,” he said.

Since China and Angola established diplomatic relations 41 years ago, Angola has emerged as China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade reaching 23 billion US dollars in 2023. Chinese companies have rebuilt or constructed anew 2,800 km of railways, 20,000 km of roads, over 100,000 social housing units, more than 100 schools, and more than 50 hospitals in the southern African nation.

Reporting on the visit, the Reuters news agency noted that, last December, China and Angola signed an investment protection agreement, while Angolan firms from December 25 2023 have had tariff-free access to China’s massive consumer market across 98% of goods under a separate agreement.

Chinese firms have invested close to $12 billion in Angola since it joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2014, data from the American Enterprise Institute think tank shows.

The South China Morning Post reported that, “Dominik Kopinski, an associate professor in the Institute of Economics at the University of Wroclaw and senior adviser at the Polish Economic Institute, said  Lourenço’s visit to China was part of Angola’s efforts to diversify and cultivate links with a wide range of partners.

“‘Those who thought the recent recalibration of Angola’s foreign policy meant ditching China and embracing the West will feel disappointed,’ Kopinski said.

“Lourenço’s four-day state visit included talks with executives of major Chinese companies, including China Gezhouba Group Corporation, which is building the Caculo Cabaca hydroelectric plant in Angola’s Cuanza Norte province, and Hebei Huatong Cable Group, which is building an aluminium production factory in Angola.

“In a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Lourenço sought financing for a refinery in the port city of Lobito, a petrochemical plant and a military air force base.

“‘When we were in urgent need of large financial resources for national reconstruction, China was the only country in the world that truly came to our aid to rebuild the main infrastructure and build new [projects] that were equally important for the economic and social development of Angola,” he said.

The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily, and on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The Joint Statement between China and Angola was published in Chinese by People’s Daily. It has been machine translated and lightly edited by us.

Julius Maada Bio, President of the west African state of Sierra Leone, paid a state visit to China from February 27-March 2 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Meeting his guest on February 28, Xi Jinping noted that China and Sierra Leone enjoy a time-honoured friendship, adding that the two sides have supported each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, carried out efficient cooperation in the fields of economic and social development, coordinated closely on issues such as world peace and development, and worked together to fight against Ebola and the COVID-19 pandemic.

China-Sierra Leone relations are a good example of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation, Xi said, adding that China is willing to work with Sierra Leone to consolidate high-level political mutual trust, advance pragmatic and mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthen coordination on international and regional affairs so as to push bilateral relations to a new level.

China is also willing to provide assistance and support to the best of its ability for Sierra Leone’s development in agriculture, infrastructure construction and human resources, and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Sierra Leone.

Both sides should strengthen cooperation on UN Security Council affairs and jointly safeguard the interests of Africa and developing countries.

“China has always regarded solidarity and cooperation with African countries as an important cornerstone of our foreign policy,” Xi recalled.

China will work with African countries to align its initiatives to support Africa’s industrialisation, agricultural modernisation and talent development with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the development strategies of African countries; and to further integrate the development of China, Africa and the world to promote the upgrading of China-Africa cooperation and move the world towards a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress.

China is ready to work with African friends, including Sierra Leone, to make this year’s session of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) a success, Xi said.

Bio said China is a trustworthy and reliable friend, thanking China for its great support for his country’s economic and social development.

He spoke highly of the Communist Party of China leading the Chinese people to achieve leapfrog development and promoting national rejuvenation. China’s experience provides inspirations for developing countries to accelerate their development.

He said Sierra Leone is willing to learn from China’s experience, strengthen cooperation with China on the Belt and Road Initiative, and tap the potential for cooperation on infrastructure, trade, education and public services.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of the Belt and Road Initiative, agriculture, economic development, and the implementation of the Global Development Initiative.

Both sides issued a joint statement on deepening their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

A February 28 article by the Reuters news agency, further noted that, during the Sierra Leonean President’s meeting with Xi, China announced 50 million yuan ($6.95 million) in economic and technical assistance, a 20 million yuan debt cancellation and 1,500 tonnes of food assistance for Sierra Leone, according to a statement from Sierra Leone’s State House.

It added that Chinese firms have invested $6.4 billion in Sierra Leone since 2010, according to data from the American Enterprise Institute think tank, predominantly in metals.

In November, China granted Sierra Leone $13 million to “support the economic and social development of Sierra Leone.”

In December, Sierra Leone signed a pact with China Road and Bridge Corporation to build an 8-km (5-mile) bridge crossing the river separating the capital Freetown from the country’s main airport at an estimated cost of $1.5 billion.

 In the Joint Statement on Deepening The Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership Between the People’s Republic of China and The Republic of Sierra Leone, the two sides agreed that since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than 50 years ago [in 1971], China and Sierra Leone have deepened their traditional friendship, continuously enhanced political mutual trust, achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation and coordinated closely in international affairs. Such a relationship has greatly benefited both countries and peoples, and set a fine example of a new type of international relations.

They spoke highly of the new progress made in China-Sierra Leone relations since President Bio’s state visit to China in 2018. In particular, the two sides recalled the spirit of friendship and solidarity demonstrated in the fight against COVID-19, during which the people of China and Sierra Leone supported each other and fought the pandemic side by side.

The two sides concurred that China-Sierra Leone relations have gained further strategic significance in the face of complex challenges in the world. To further promote the development of China-Sierra Leone relations and expand cooperation in various fields, the two leaders have decided to deepen the China-Sierra Leone comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and jointly build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Sierra Leone highly commends that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese people have made great progress in realising the transformation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese modernisation, and believes that the Chinese path to modernisation offers options and solutions to fellow developing countries seeking independent development.  Sierra Leone will also support all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. 

China commended Sierra Leone for joining and actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) since 2018. Sierra Leone highly commended the BRI’s positive role in advancing economic development and people’s livelihood in partner countries since its inception over 10 years ago. The two sides have signed the Cooperation Plan on Jointly Promoting the BRI. Guided by the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit, the two sides will follow the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, adhere to the philosophy of open, green and clean cooperation, and make the cooperation high-standard, people-centered and sustainable.

The Chinese side will strengthen cooperation with Sierra Leone in human resource development and continue to dispatch medical teams to Sierra Leone. The Sierra Leonean side expressed gratitude for China’s long-standing support for Sierra Leone’s health sector, especially during Ebola and COVID-19.

The two sides agreed to uphold the principle of equality among all countries regardless of size, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and work to build an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. As developing countries, China and Sierra Leone share extensive common interests and similar positions on international affairs, and will support each other in this regard. China congratulated Sierra Leone again on its election as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council 2024-2025, and expressed its readiness to strengthen cooperation with Sierra Leone and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. The two sides reiterated their support for the authority of the UN, and agreed that reform of the UN Security Council needs to support developing countries including Africa in playing a bigger role, increase their representation and voice in the Security Council and redress the historical injustices done to Africa. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang also met with President Bio on February 28 and said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, China and Sierra Leone have always respected each other, treated each other as equals and cooperated with each other sincerely, and are good friends, good partners and good brothers who share weal and woe.

Li pointed out that China is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Sierra Leone, carry out practical and efficient cooperation, advance the construction of key projects and livelihood projects in an orderly manner, and provide support to the economic and social development of Sierra Leone within its capacity.

China will continue to send agricultural technical experts to help Sierra Leone cultivate quality crops and train technical personnel, strengthen exchanges and the sharing of experience in agricultural policy planning with Sierra Leone, and push for deeper and more solid agricultural cooperation between the two countries.

“China stands ready to further strengthen people-to-people exchanges with Sierra Leone on youth, education, training and medical care to consolidate public support for friendly relations between the two countries,” the Chinese Premier added.

China’s top legislator Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, also met the Sierra Leonean head of state on the same day. He said that under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries, bilateral relations had been running at a high level and cooperation had yielded fruitful results.

The Chinese side attaches great importance to cooperation with the Sierra Leonean parliament and is willing to strengthen exchanges at all levels of the legislature, provide better legal guarantees for bilateral cooperation, promote exchanges among political parties and localities, as well as people-to-people exchanges, and share experience in strengthening democracy and the rule of law.

Following his talks in Beijing, President Bio visited Wuhan in central China’s Hubei Province, marking his first trip to the Chinese city that has close ties with Sierra Leone in multiple fields such as trade, education and agriculture.

During this visit, Bio went to the Institute of Food Crops of Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, where he learned about the research achievements in rice cultivation. Noting that rice is a staple food for many African countries, including Sierra Leone, he expressed hope for collaboration between Sierra Leone and Hubei in this field. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate degree by the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). Expressing his gratitude, Bio said that this accolade is “not just a personal achievement, but a testimony of the enduring friendship between our two countries.”

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

Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulations on February 22 with President Denis Sassou-N’guesso of the Republic of the Congo (commonly known as Congo Brazzaville) on the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and vowed to join Sassou-N’guesso in promoting the strategic partnership between the two sides.

Noting that their friendship has stood the test of time, Xi added that over the 60 years, the two countries, despite changes in the international situation, have consistently engaged in sincere cooperation and mutual development, and have become good friends who trust each other politically and good partners for win-win economic cooperation.

Sassou-N’guesso observed that over the 60 years of diplomatic relations, the people of both countries have always been united and friendly, upholding common aspirations for peace, justice, and prosperity. This has propelled the rapid development of the comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership between the Republic of the Congo and China.

On the basis of mutual trust and mutual benefit, both sides have engaged in extensive cooperation with fruitful outcomes, Sassou-N’guesso said, adding that he is willing to further consolidate and deepen the friendly cooperation between the Republic of the Congo and China, so as to make positive contributions to the building of a high-level community with a shared future between China and Africa. 

On the same day, at the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s regular press conference, spokesperson Mao Ning replied to a question from the Xinhua News Agency as follows:

“Today marks the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and the Republic of the Congo. President Xi Jinping and President Denis Sassou-N’Guesso exchanged messages of congratulations to commemorate this important day.

“When meeting with President Sassou-N’Guesso last October, President Xi Jinping noted that shared ideals, mutual trust and mutual support are the key to the sustained and steady growth of China-Congo relations. Over the past six decades, no matter how the international landscape has evolved, the two countries have always shared weal and woe, and given each other mutual understanding and support on major issues of core interests. Our two countries have journeyed together with similar philosophies and been each other’s true partners with mutual trust and iron-clad friends with mutual support. Over the past six decades, the two sides have striven forward together, made solid efforts and engaged in sincere cooperation that delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples. The No.1 National Highway in the Congo has shortened travel time between the capital Brazzaville and the economic centre Pointe-Noire from one week to eight hours. The Sino-Congolese Bank for Africa is providing convenient financial services to local residents. The aircraft maintenance centre that is under construction will further boost the aviation industry of the Congo and the sub-region. The China-Congo Friendship Primary School, built with the aid from the Congo to the earthquake-stricken area in Yushu, Qinghai, is a vivid illustration of China-Congo friendship that shines in difficult times.

“Going forward, China stands ready to continue working with the Congo to deliver on the common understandings of the leaders of the two countries and bring the China-Congo comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new level. China will take the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation meetings to be held this year as an opportunity to seek synergy between Chinese modernisation and Africa’s peace and development, work with friendly countries of Africa including the Congo, and build the China-Africa community with a shared future at a higher level.”

The references to “shared ideals” and “similar philosophies” are significant. Between 1969-1977, under the leadership of President Marien Ngouabi, the then People’s Republic of Congo made serious efforts to build a socialist state under the guidance of Marxism-Leninism. President Sassou-N’Guesso continues to lead the Congolese Party of Labour (PCT), founded by Ngouabi, and has frequently referred to the teachings of Lenin and to the historical experiences of both the Soviet Union and China. The website of the PCT may be viewed here.

The following article was first published by the Xinhua News Agency.