Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday met with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The two leaders jointly announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

During the meeting, Xi highly appreciated President Guelleh's attendance at all FOCAC summits since its inception.

Noting that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Xi said China and Djibouti, treating each other with sincerity, have carried out mutually beneficial economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, setting a prime example for South-South cooperation.

China is ready to work with Djibouti to leverage the valuable experience of exchanges and mutual learning, strengthen the bond of shared interests of win-win cooperation, and build consensus for peaceful coexistence to promote bilateral relations to achieve more results, he said.

Xi said China is willing to support Djibouti in operating projects such as the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway and the international free trade zone, building a regional trade and logistics hub, jointly operating Africa's first Luban Workshop, and helping Djibouti cultivate more high-quality talent needed for its economic development.

Thanking China for providing valuable assistance to Djibouti's economic development and improvement of people's livelihoods, Guelleh said the Djiboutian side will work with China to promote important projects such as the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway and further deepen practical cooperation in various fields.

He also pledged to enhance communication and collaboration with China to make joint efforts for promoting regional security and development.

(Cover: Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, September 2, 2024. /Xinhua)