Politics
17:56, 01-Sep-2018
Xi Jinping: BRI is the new link between China and Benin
Updated
16:57, 04-Sep-2018
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Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) should be the new link between China and Benin.
He made the remarks when meeting Beninese President Patrice Talon in Beijing on Saturday, ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The Chinese president said China is willing to exchange experience on governance with Benin, increase people-to-people exchanges, and cooperate on the BRI, which will be the new link between the two countries.
Xi said the 21st century is the century of Asia and Africa and he believes that Africa has huge growth potential.
China and Africa are good brothers, friends and partners, he said, stressing that the Chinese people will never forget the deep friendship and precious support from the African people.
Xi added that as China sustains development, it will be even firmer in mutually supporting and helping African countries, developing together and creating an even closer community of shared future with them.
Talon said African countries including Benin are working hard and carrying out reforms to improve their governing abilities for long-term progress.
China's success stories are worth learning from, the Beninese president said, stressing that China's support and help are invaluable to his country and that Benin is willing to improve exchanges with China.
As a result of cooperation with China, the development of both Benin and Africa will accelerate, Talon added.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents after their talks.