China will capitalize on the outcomes of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to further cooperation with the Republic of the Congo, said visiting senior Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi.

Yang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks in a meeting with President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso on Sunday.

China will explore and cultivate areas for potential cooperation to advance ties in different areas, including development of infrastructure and industrial parks, to contribute to the socioeconomic development of the Republic of the Congo, he said.

As developing countries, China and the Republic of the Congo share broad consensus on many major international issues, Yang said, adding that the two sides should jointly promote the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, oppose unilateralism and safeguard real multilateralism, international equity and justice as well as the common interests of the developing countries. 

Sassou said his country highly appreciates the comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership with China and is thankful for its valuable support in fighting the pandemic and realizing economic recovery.

The Republic of the Congo adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to consolidate mutual political trust, besides further exploring cooperation in areas including energy, processing, transportation and agriculture, he said.

The Congolese president also said his country is ready to strengthen coordination with the Chinese side on affairs concerning the United Nations and the regional issues in Africa, oppose unilateral actions, support multilateralism and jointly promote peaceful development in Africa and the world.

On the same day, Yang also met with Jean-Claude Gakosso, minister for foreign affairs of the Republic of the Congo.