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
A festive atmosphere is building up as people across China have been making preparations to ring in the Spring Festival next week, with lights and decorations set everywhere, and with New Year goods markets all seeing booming sales.
The Spring Festival, which marks the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important annual holiday in China, when people across the country return to their hometowns for Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations and family reunion.
In Xi'an City of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a grand lantern show is in its final stage of preparation before opening to the public ahead of the eve of the 2025 Chinese Lunar New Year. To be lit up on Wednesday, the large light sets presented at the event will draw numerous visitors, with lanterns that replicate 38 cultural relics as the highlight.
Buying New Year flowers has been a custom for Chinese people. In Yancheng City of east China's Jiangsu Province, various flowers which have auspicious meanings are already in high demand.
This year, tulips bred locally have been put on sale, and quickly become a favorable choice for many customers.
"I have never seen this kind of flower before. I think it is really bright-colored. Therefore, I decided to buy some to enhance the festive atmosphere at home," said Zhang Jinjian, a local resident.
The Anchang ancient town in Shaoxing City of east China's Zhejiang Province has a time-honored custom of making aired sausages and spiced duck.
As the Spring Festival draws near, plenty of visitors and tourists choose to purchase these local delicacies as ingredients for their Chinese New Year feast.
"The number of tourists has been increasing, so the sales of our spiced meat have been quite good. Compared with the same period of last year, our sales is expected to increase by about 50,000 yuan (about 6,835 U.S. dollars). We will earn an additional 200,000 to 300,000 yuan (27,335 to 41,000 U.S. dollars) in sales during this whole winter," said Yang Jing, owner of a local spiced meat shop.
In southwest China's Yunnan Province, the "Tiaocai dance" is a time-honored tradition of the Yi ethnic minority group. The dance is presented in the form of serving dishes while dancing to the rhythm. It usually happens on a joyous or grand occasion.
Since the most significant annual festival is around the corner, Yi people have dressed up in traditional costumes, and got ready to welcome the arrival of the Chinese Lunar New Year with the special dance.
People across China make preparations to welcome Spring Festival