In a significant move to bolster bilateral relations, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embal\u00f3 on Wednesday in Beijing. The leaders discussed expanding mutually beneficial cooperation, aiming for common development between the two nations.
Highlighting the longstanding friendship, Premier Li described China and Guinea-Bissau as “reliable good brothers and good partners.” He emphasized China’s commitment to developing friendly cooperative relations and noted the steady progress made under the strategic guidance of both heads of state.
“China is willing to work with Guinea-Bissau to follow the direction given by our leaders, consolidating and deepening political mutual trust,” Li stated. He expressed a desire to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation to achieve common development and bring more benefits to the peoples of both countries.
Premier Li affirmed China’s support for Guinea-Bissau in independently exploring a development path suited to its national conditions. “China stands ready to enhance the synergy of development strategies with Guinea-Bissau, sharing more development experience,” he said. He called for advancing pragmatic and efficient cooperation and helping Guinea-Bissau enhance its internal driving force for development.
The two countries aim to utilize important platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to deepen cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure construction. Li noted China’s willingness to import more quality agricultural products from Guinea-Bissau and encouraged Chinese enterprises to expand investment there, hoping for continued convenience and support from Guinea-Bissau.
“China stands ready to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and cooperation on medical care, health, and education,” Li added, welcoming more outstanding Guinea-Bissau students to study in China.
President Embal\u00f3 expressed sincere appreciation for China’s valuable long-term support for Guinea-Bissau’s economic and social development. “We are willing to further strengthen practical cooperation with China in various fields such as economy, trade, and infrastructure construction,” Embal\u00f3 said, emphasizing a commitment to common development.
He reaffirmed Guinea-Bissau’s firm adherence to the one-China principle and support for major concepts and global initiatives, including building a community with a shared future for mankind and the Belt and Road Initiative. Embal\u00f3 stated readiness to work with China to achieve fruitful results at the next FOCAC summit to be held in China this fall.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
