Xi, Sassou send congratulatory letters to FOCAC ministerial meeting of coordinators

BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping and President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso on Wednesday sent separate congratulatory letters to the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Changsha, capital of Central China's Hunan province.

In his letter, Xi said the FOCAC has effectively advanced the vigorous development of China-Africa cooperation since its establishment 25 years ago, becoming a fine example of solidarity and cooperation of the Global South.

Xi said that last September, he and African leaders unanimously agreed at the FOCAC Beijing Summit to promote the six-point proposition on the joint endeavor to advance modernization, and to jointly implement the 10 partnership actions for modernization, leading China-Africa relations into a new stage of jointly building an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era.

He said with the efforts of both sides, a number of encouraging early achievements have been made in the implementation of the Beijing Summit's outcomes.

China and Africa have also reached consensus on launching the 2026 China-Africa year of people-to-people exchanges, which is expected to inject new vitality into China-Africa friendly cooperation, Xi added.

Noting that the current international situation is marked by changes and turmoil, Xi said China is committed to providing new opportunities for the world with the new achievements of Chinese modernization and offering new impetus to Global South partners, including Africa, via its huge market.

China is ready to negotiate and sign the agreement of China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development to implement the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines for 53 African countries which have diplomatic relations with China, Xi said, adding that China will provide more convenience for the least developed countries in Africa to export to China.

He also said China is ready to work with Africa to deepen the implementation of the 10 partnership actions for modernization, strengthen cooperation in such key areas as green industry, e-commerce and e-payment, science and technology, and artificial intelligence, and enhance cooperation in security, finance and the rule of law, to promote high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation.

Xi pointed out that openness and cooperation are the right path, and mutual benefit and win-win outcomes meet the aspiration of the people.

He said China and Africa working together to advance modernization will strongly promote solidarity and cooperation in the Global South and open up a brighter prospect for the cause of world peace and development.

It is hoped that China and Africa will continue to steadily advance the implementation of the Beijing Summit's outcomes, carefully plan the future development of the FOCAC, join hands to build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity, said Xi.

Sassou Nguesso said in his letter that strategic and practical cooperation between Africa and China has achieved fruitful results since the Beijing Summit.

Noting that the ministerial meeting coincides with the 25th anniversary of the FOCAC's establishment, Sassou Nguesso said he will spare no effort and work with President Xi to promote greater progress in building a community with a shared future between Africa and China, and enhance the well-being of the people of both sides.

As the African co-chair of the FOCAC, the Republic of the Congo is willing to work with China and other countries in the Global South to strengthen cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, jointly build a multipolar world free from unilateralism and protectionism, and usher in a new era of inclusive and mutually beneficial globalization, Sassou Nguesso added.