China stands ready to work together with Somalia for more new outcomes in bilateral ties, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at a meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Beijing on Friday.
Mohamud is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that runs from Wednesday to Friday.
At the meeting, Xi noted the longstanding tradition of China-Somalia friendly exchanges, and mentioned Zheng He, the famous Chinese navigator of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), who made seven voyages to the Western Seas.
"China and Somalia enjoy a longstanding tradition of friendly exchanges. Six hundred years ago, Chinese navigator of the Ming Dynasty Zheng He once led his fleet to arrive in Somalia, taking tea, porcelain, as well as medical and agricultural knowledge there. Somalia was the first East African country to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China (PRC). The friendship between the two countries has withstood the test of time and adversity, making it even more genuine and significant. Therefore, I hereby propose the elevation of bilateral ties to strategic partnership. China stands ready to join hands with Somalia to stay true to the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations, and work for more new outcomes in bilateral ties, in the greater interests of the people of the two countries," he said.
The two presidents announced the elevation of China-Somalia bilateral relations to a strategic partnership at the meeting.
Mohamud said that Somalia highly appreciates the major visions that President Xi has proposed, and lauds Xi's efforts to build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.
"So I'd like to congratulate you on the successful holding of this year's Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. We believe that under your leadership, China will achieve more remarkable achievements and attain realizing its modernization. Your excellency, we commend and share your aspirations to create prosperous and shared future for all mankind and applaud your efforts to create high-level China-Africa community with a shared future," he said.
China to work jointly with Somalia for more outcomes in bilateral ties: Xi
China to work jointly with Somalia for more outcomes in bilateral ties: Xi
China to work jointly with Somalia for more outcomes in bilateral ties: Xi
China to work jointly with Somalia for more outcomes in bilateral ties: Xi
The ongoing China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) has attracted scores of new participants this year, with repeat participants also making their mark at the fair.
Themed "Global Services, Shared Prosperity," the trade fair, opened in China's capital city Beijing on Thursday and runs till Monday.
The CIFTIS is becoming more and more international, with a total of 36 Belt and Road partners showcasing their products.
Tharaka Dissanayake who works at the Sri Lankan Embassy in China has participated in the fair many times. He came to promote tea culture this time and believes that tea culture can better strengthen cooperation and exchanges between the two countries.
"For any commodity, it's a huge market. Obviously, this is one of the greatest platforms close to the Chinese consumer, to introduce ourselves, introduce our products, whatever the services or innovation," said Abeysekara, third secretary of the Sri Lankan Embassy in China.
An old friend of the fair was playing an African drum and the rhythmic sound attracted a large crowd.
"I'm here again. Many people took my WeChat and my contact, my number. So they called me, they ordered and they need more," said a Ghanaian exhibitor.
Dewi Avilia, Counselor for Social and Cultural Affairs at the Indonesian Embassy in China, is also attending the exhibition for the second time. She emphasized the need to promote cultural tourism as recent policies have made it easy for more Indonesian friends to travel to China.
"Chengdu and Chongqing have become two of the most popular tourist destinations for Indonesia. A lot of people now are not only talking about Shanghai, but are also talking about Chengdu, visiting the pandas and also Chongqing, because of the landscape. I think it is a good start," said Avilia.
This year's fair has also attracted huge number of new participants showcasing quality products.
"This is my first time. It's a great opportunity that we are able to showcase our products and to let people know about Uganda and Ugandan culture," said Mukisa Joseph, a Ugandan exhibitor.
"The expectations about this fair is to meet many people in the coffee industry. So far we have had a lot of consumers who are interested in roasted coffee. I'm still expecting more," said Mutijima Emma, a Rwandan exhibitor.
An Uzbek exhibitor, who is also a newcomer, initially intended to use this platform to promote his goods, but unexpectedly met partners from many other countries and found potential business opportunities here.
"This is a good platform to see the different global products and see the Chinese market all together. I met so many different people, but I also met many foreign people who are interested in our products. So I call these kind of events more like a globalization event," said Asilbek Khonkhujaev, an Uzbek exhibitor.
The fair has attracted attendees from 85 countries and international organizations, with over 450 Fortune 500 enterprises and companies taking the lead in their respective industries.
Newcomers, old friends gather at CIFTIS to seek new opportunities
