China-Africa Ties: Wang Yi's annual visit aims to strengthen cooperation

World
Europe

Today is the last day of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's Africa trip. His 4-country tour was to push solidarity and cooperation, as he discussed issues such as the next China-Africa Cooperation Forum and opportunities for economic partnership. CGTN's Zhao Yunfei has the details.

Promising a continuous tight friendship, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's first foreign visit in the new year once again was to African nation. Visiting the continent has become a tradition, and this time, many agreements were made during Wang's visit to Rwanda, Angola, Gabon, and Sao Tome and Principe.

Discussions between China and Rwanda focused on the upcoming China-Africa Cooperation Forum to be held in Beijing later this year. Rwanda called on China for more support and expertise as it aims to become a middle-income country by 2020.

WANG YI CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER" Rwanda has its 2020 vision and its 2050 development plan. And these plans dovetail with China's development plans in many areas. China stands ready to be a long-time and trustworthy partner for Rwanda in its development plan."

In Angola, Wang called for a transformation and upgrade in their cooperation for common development.

WANG YI CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER "After Angola achieved internal peace, it needed to rebuild its economy and therefore needed a lot of financing. Back then, we noticed many capable countries didn't respond to Angola's urgent need, whereas China, as a good and old friend of Angola, provided assistance despite being a developing country."

Wang said China's financing to African countries is in response to their demands for self-development, as he refuted claims that Chinese financing to African countries had increased their debt burden.

Angola thanked China for its tremendous support in peace and reconstruction after the war, and expressed willingness to improve its business environment so as to welcome more Chinese investment in various sectors.

Wang also paid a visit to Gabon, where its president expressed hope that China will continue to support his country's development. Wang said China supports Gabon's efforts in transforming its resources into economic benefits, and in playing a more active role in Africa's regional affairs.

The foreign minister concluded his African tour in Sao Tome and Principe.

Before Wang's tour, the foreign ministry said the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Africa saw a sound and smooth development in 2017. It also said international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative made early gains in Africa, and the concept of win-win cooperation and common development enjoyed popular support. Zhao Yunfei, CGTN.