Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, met with Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, wife of President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, in Beijing on Friday.

Peng said she appreciated Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi's efforts to improve the health and well-being of African women, children and adolescents as vice president of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD).

Peng said that the Chinese side maintains friendly exchanges with the OAFLAD and is willing to strengthen cooperation and work together to contribute more to promoting the cause of women and children and building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Peng introduced the positive achievements of the Spring Bud Project, a program launched by China Children and Teenagers' Fund to help girls who have dropped out from school return to education and improve teaching conditions in impoverished areas. Peng added it is hoped that the two sides could strengthen the exchange of experience in female education to benefit the two peoples.

Noting this was the first time she and President Tshisekedi had visited China, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi thanked President Xi and Madame Peng for their warm and thoughtful reception, and said they were deeply impressed by the vitality of China and the hard-working, heroic and tenacious Chinese people.

Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi said she highly appreciated Peng's long-term concern and support for the development of women, children and adolescents in African countries and looked forward to further strengthening exchanges and cooperation and jointly contributing to promoting Africa-China friendship.