Chinese, Angolan Presidents Elevate Bilateral Ties

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in substantive discussions with Angolan President Joao Lourenco during his state visit to China in Beijing on Friday. The pivotal meeting saw the announcement of the elevation of bilateral relations between the two nations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, marking a significant milestone in their diplomatic ties.

President Xi highlighted the enduring friendship between China and Angola, underscored by their joint celebration of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He emphasized the resilience of their relationship amidst global challenges, characterizing China-Angola cooperation as emblematic of South-South collaboration and mutual support between developing nations.

In a rapidly evolving global landscape, President Xi underscored the importance of maintaining traditional friendship and solidarity between China and Angola. He reiterated China’s unwavering support for Angola’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, while expressing readiness to share governance experiences and jointly advance the modernization agendas of both nations.

President Xi emphasized the strategic importance of enhancing cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative and other strategic domains, emphasizing the immense potential for collaboration between China and Angola. He stressed the need to protect the rights and safety of Chinese nationals and businesses in Angola, while encouraging Angola to promote its products in China through various trade platforms.

Affirming China’s commitment to Africa’s development and revitalization, President Xi reiterated China’s role as a reliable friend and sincere partner to African countries. He expressed support for African-led solutions to regional challenges and advocated for stronger multilateral coordination to safeguard the common interests of developing nations.

President Lourenco conveyed his heartfelt gratitude for China’s steadfast support to Angola, particularly during challenging times such as the post-civil war period and the COVID-19 pandemic. He welcomed increased Chinese investment in Angola, highlighting the positive impact of Chinese cooperation on Angola’s infrastructure and socioeconomic development.

President Lourenco reaffirmed Angola’s adherence to the one-China policy and expressed confidence in the peaceful resolution of the Taiwan question. He called for enhanced multilateral cooperation between China and Angola, underscoring their shared commitment to upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter and international norms.

The meeting culminated in the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents and a joint communique, reflecting the commitment of both nations to deepen collaboration across various sectors and advance their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to new heights.