On September 23, 2018 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Yildiz Pollack-Beighle of Suriname in Paramaribo.

Wang Yi expressed that Ms. Minister of Foreign Affairs has been actively committed to China-Suriname friendship after taking office. Today I am honored to be the first Chinese Foreign Minister to visit Suriname. China and Suriname enjoy a long-standing friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 42 years ago, the two countries have become good friends who can trust each other, and bilateral relations have entered a rapid development track. We have always respected each other, understood each other and supported each other on issues concerning respective core interests and major concerns. We appreciate that Suriname has always adhered to the one-China policy. Strong mutual trust has laid an important foundation for cooperation between the two sides. The breadth and depth of bilateral cooperation continues to be expanded. Suriname and China signed cooperation documents on the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative this May, which has opened up broader prospects for China-Suriname cooperation. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Surinamese side to expand cooperation in such fields as infrastructure construction, agriculture, forestry, law enforcement, human resources and health, so as to constantly elevate China-Suriname relations in the new period to new stages.

Yildiz Pollack-Beighle said that the Surinamese side warmly welcomes State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit, which realizes the historic first visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister to Suriname. Suriname and China enjoy traditional friendship and the two countries maintain strong political, economic and cultural ties. Suriname attaches great importance to developing its relations with China, adheres to the one-China principle on a long-term basis, and thanks China for its selfless assistance in such fields as economy, education and human resources training. The Surinamese side stands ready to actively participate in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and deepen cooperation with the Chinese side in various fields including trade, investment, forestry, agriculture, fisheries, and people-to-people and cultural engagement. Suriname highly values China's important position and role in the world and is willing to be a reliable partner of China in international affairs. Suriname firmly supports the strengthening of the relations between China and the Caribbean Community.

During the visit, the two Foreign Ministers signed the economic and technological agreement between the two governments and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Chinese and Surinamese foreign affairs universities, and jointly met the press.