Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting South Sudanese President Salva Kiir in Beijing on Friday, with the two leaders jointly announcing the elevation of bilateral relations between their two countries to strategic partnership.
Kiir is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which runs from Wednesday to Friday.
At the meeting, Xi pointed out that China was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with South Sudan 13 years ago, and that the two sides have since enjoyed solid political mutual trust and fruitful cooperation in various fields.
Noting that the bilateral relationship is based on mutual respect and sincere cooperation and its future lies in joining hands to achieve common development, Xi said that to build a rich and dynamic China-South Sudan relationship is in line with the common expectations and long-term interests of the two peoples.
China is willing to share development experience and opportunities with South Sudan, continue to implement educational technology and other projects, strengthen cooperation with the East African country in oil, mining, agriculture and other fields, and help the country diversify its economy, Xi said, adding China is ready to work with South Sudan to implement the outcomes of the 2024 FOCAC summit and push for deeper and more practical bilateral cooperation.
Xi underscored that China supports South Sudan in steadily advancing its political transition process, opposes outside interference in the country's internal affairs, and supports the South Sudanese people in grasping their future destiny into their own hands.
He expressed the wish for the country to realize lasting peace and development at an early date, saying China will continue to speak up for South Sudan on multilateral occasions such as the United Nations and safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
Also speaking at the meeting, Kiir highly commented on Xi's important speech at the opening ceremony of the FOCAC summit on Thursday, especially the proposition of 10 partnership action plans with Africa to jointly advance modernization, adding South Sudan is ready to work with China to actively implement them.
He hailed the deep friendship between the two countries, which is based on mutual respect, understanding and support, saying the South Sudanese economy, benefiting from China's help and support, has recovered and that the people's livelihoods have improved.
Highlighting South Sudan's firm pursuit of the one-China policy, the president expressed the hope to continuously develop the strategic partnership between the two countries, while pledging to provide a safe and sound environment for Chinese enterprises' operation in his country.
Chinese, South Sudanese presidents announce elevation of bilateral ties to strategic partnership
Chinese, South Sudanese presidents announce elevation of bilateral ties to strategic partnership
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
