Side Events
Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan attended the opening ceremony of the 3rd Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation and delivered a speech in Beijing on May 8th.
Wang Qishan said that socialism with Chinese characteristics had entered a new era, and the Chinese nation had stood up, grown rich, and was become strong. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, China will unswervingly implement the mutually beneficial and win-win strategies of reform and opening up to realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. China is still a developing country. Unbalanced and inadequate development are the principal contradiction of the society. China still faces the formidable task and challenge of winning the tough battle of targeted poverty alleviation, and ensuring impoverished people to enter the moderately prosperous society together with the rest of the country.
Wang Qishan said that China and Africa had always shared weal and woe and supported each other. China is willing to support Africa with its own strength through development. Under the framework of the FOCAC, local governments in China and Africa carry out exchanges and cooperation focusing on “poverty alleviation and sustainable development”, which is conducive to fostering a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership between China and Africa.
Wang Qishan also met separately with Brigi Rafini, Niger Prime Minister, and Salim Ahmed Salim, Former Tanzanian Prime Minister and Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association Chairman, who had visited China for the forum.
When meeting with Rafini, Wang Qishan conveyed President Xi Jinping’s cordial greetings to Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou, and said due to the traditional profound friendship and common struggles of China and Africa, China was able to empathize with African people’s concern about development more than any other nations. It is the common aspiration for both sides to strengthen China-Niger cooperation and promote common development. For recent years, the mutually beneficial cooperation of the two countries has seen extensive development in various fields, and China is willing to push the bilateral ties to a higher level.
Rafini also conveyed President Mahamadou Issoufou’s good wishes to President Xi Jinping, expressed Niger’s gratitude toward the assistance and support provided by China. He appreciated the tremendous progress China had made. Rafini said that Niger was happy to see China’s growing importance in the international community and hoped to learn from China’s experience in development.
When meeting with Salim, Wang Qishan conveyed President Xi Jinping’s warm greetings to Tanzania’s President John Magufuli, and said China-Tanzania friendship forged by the previous generation of leaders from the two countries, was durable and vigorous. He appreciated Salim’s significant contribution to the bilateral ties. As one action counted more than a dozen programs, he hoped, under the leadership from both sides, China-Tanzania relations would be constantly promoted through practical joint projects in the new era.
Salim also conveyed President John Magufuli’s best wishes to President Xi Jinping. He said China, as a true friend of Tanzania, had been sincerely supporting the development of Africa. He hoped the two countries would deepen exchanges and cooperation at all levels and continue to consolidate and develop their traditional friendship.
(Source: xinhuanet.com)
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