China-Namibia cooperation enjoys great prospects, and China has the firm policy and conviction to strengthen friendship with Africa, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the statement in Swakopmund, Namibia in response to a media query about his expectation for the future of China-Namibia relations.
"We have been talking about this issue, but one thing is clear: the friendly cooperation between China and Namibia has great prospects. We share political trust, and our economies are highly complementary to each other. Most importantly, China has the firm policy and conviction to strengthen friendship with Africa," Wang said.
Wang began his first overseas trip of the new year with a week-long visit to Africa, which has taken him to Namibia, and which will also take him to the Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Nigeria, from January 5 to 11.
It is a fine tradition for Chinese foreign ministers to start their year-round overseas visits with a trip to Africa, a practice that has continued for 35 years.
China has firm policy, conviction to strengthen friendship with Africa: FM
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China's efforts to develop relations and cooperation with African countries will not weaken, but will only strengthen, regardless of the changing international landscape.
Wang made the remarks during talks with Jean-Claude Gakosso, foreign minister of the Republic of the Congo (ROC), in Brazzaville on Tuesday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, started his Africa trip on Jan 5 and he has concluded his visit to Namibia.
Wang emphasized that Africa has consistently been the destination of the Chinese foreign minister's first overseas visit each year, reflecting China's long-standing policy and tradition. He noted that this practice demonstrates China's dedication to strengthening unity and cooperation with African nations, which remains a cornerstone of China's foreign policy.
Referring to the ROC as a close friend, Wang highlighted the over 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He praised their mutual understanding and support over the decades, adding that cooperation between the two nations has delivered tangible benefits and set an example in China-Africa relations.
Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of states, Wang expressed optimism about the bright future of the bilateral relations. He also acknowledged the role of the ROC as co-chair of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), calling it a testament to the high level of trust and partnership between the two nations.
He expressed confidence in the ROC's ability to contribute to the implementation of FOCAC's Beijing Summit outcomes, further boosting China-Africa ties and enhancing its own global influence.
Gakosso thanked China for prioritizing Africa in its diplomacy. He described the bilateral relationship as a model of international cooperation, built on shared commitments to peace, justice and common development.
Highlighting President Denis Sassou Nguesso's successful visit to China in September 2024, Gakosso stated that bilateral ties have entered a new era. He reaffirmed ROC's support for China's core interests, including the one-China principle and national reunification efforts, and expressed hope to learn from China's governance experience.
As FOCAC co-chair, Gakosso pledged ROC's continued collaboration with China to implement the Beijing Summit's outcomes and advance Africa-China cooperation.
Gakosso also conveyed condolences to the Chinese people following the Tuesday's earthquake in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.
China-Africa cooperation will only grow stronger: Chinese FM
