China and Libya announce establishment of strategic partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohammad Younes Menfi on Wednesday announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries.

Xi and Menfi, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), met at the Great Hall of the People in the Chinese capital.

China has a traditional friendship with Libya, and China's stance of supporting Libya's stable development and boosting friendly bilateral cooperation will not change no matter how the situation evolves, Xi said.

Xi said China supports Libya in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and finding a path for peace, stability and prosperity through dialogue and consultation.

China supports Libya's economic reconstruction and efforts to improve people's livelihood, and hopes that the Libyan side will create a favorable environment for Chinese businesses, he said.

China is willing to work with the Libyan side to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with African and Arab countries, have close communications with the United Nations and other multilateral organizations, consolidate solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international justice, said Xi.

For his part, Menfi said the FOCAC summit offers a historic opportunity for the development of relations between Libya and China and between Africa and China.

China is very important to Libya, from the peace and economic perspectives, he said.

The Libyan side is willing to strengthen economic and trade cooperation and investment with China under the Belt and Road Initiative and within the framework of FOCAC, said Menfi. Libya welcomes Chinese businesses to take part in its economic reconstruction, and is willing to provide a favorable environment for them, he added.

Libya firmly adheres to the one-China principle, which will not change under any circumstances, he said.

(With input from Xinhua)