China, Congo vow to deepen cooperation, strengthen China-Africa ties

China and the Republic of Congo reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to advancing China-Africa cooperation and promoting shared development.

The two sides reached the consensus in Brazzaville on Tuesday during talks between Denis Sassou Nguesso, president of the Republic of Congo and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Sassou welcomed Wang's visit, asking him to convey his New Year greetings and best wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping. He highlighted the historic significance of President Xi's 2013 visit to Congo, the first overseas visit by Xi after he took office. Sassou underscored Africa's growing importance on the global stage and expressed hope that China's focus on the continent will inspire the international community to enhance its support for Africa.

Sassou praised President Xi's 10 partnership action plans, introduced during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), as comprehensive and well-aligned with Africa's development needs. These action plans, he noted, tackle critical challenges such as infrastructure, energy, agriculture and industrialization, which are vital for the growth of Congo and other African nations. Sassou pledged that Congo, as a co-chair of FOCAC, will make every effort to implement the initiatives and drive greater success in China-Africa cooperation.

Wang conveyed President Xi's greetings and reiterated China's steadfast commitment to Africa. He described Congo as a vital partner of China, commending its vibrant progress under President Sassou's leadership. Wang emphasized the strategic importance of China's annual tradition of beginning the foreign minister's year with a visit to Africa, signaling China's unwavering solidarity with African nations.

Highlighting the strong ties between the two countries, Wang reaffirmed China's readiness to be Congo's most reliable partner in its development journey and to support Congo's role as co-chair of FOCAC in driving international cooperation with Africa.

Wang added that China is willing to work closely with Congo to fully implement the Beijing Summit outcomes, focusing on shared modernization goals, Africa's development and increasing Congo's international influence.