Xi has individual talks with leaders

Mali

While meeting with Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President Xi Jinping said that China firmly supports Mali to promote the process of peace and reconciliation as well as the fight against terrorism.

Xi said that Keita making a special trip to China despite a busy domestic political agenda demonstrates his strong support for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the deep friendship with the Chinese people.

The two countries are good brothers who share weal and woe, good friends who treat each other sincerely and good partners who seek common development, he said.

China will as always support Mali in safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, he said.

Xi noted that China will work with key areas of Mali's development plan to enhance bilateral pragmatic cooperation.

China actively participates in the United Nations peacekeeping operations in Mali and will continue to support efforts by the countries in the Sahel region to maintain regional peace and security, he added.

Keita said Mali has always been committed to the deepening of bilateral ties and would like to continue strengthening cooperation with China in areas including trade, agriculture, education, health, infrastructure and security on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit.

He said Mali actively participates in the construction of the Belt and Road, and wishes the summit complete success.