On November 29, 2016, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on African Affairs Ambassador Xu Jinghu attended the Tunisian International Conference on Economic Support and Investment on behalf of China. Special Representative Xu Jinghu spoke at the meeting and briefed on China-Tunisia cooperation, stressing that China always supports Tunisia’s efforts in safeguarding national stability and promoting economic and social development. She said that China is ready to, together with Tunisia, strengthen the integration of development strategies, make full use of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and other collective cooperation platforms, and deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields including trade, investment, infrastructure construction, tourism and culture, so as to continually provide support within its ability for Tunisia’s economic development and livelihood improvement.

During the meeting, Special Representative Xu Jinghu met with Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui of Tunisia. Khemaies Jhinaoui thanked Special Representative Xu Jinghu’s special visit to Tunisia for the conference, which fully demonstrates the friendship and importance attached by the Chinese government to Tunisia. Both sides also exchanged views on intensifying bilateral cooperation in various fields.

The Tunisian International Conference on Economic Support and Investment is jointly hosted by Tunisia, France, Qatar and Canada. Over 1250 representatives from more than 70 countries and international and regional organizations, including President Beji Caid Essebsi of Tunisia, Prime Minister Youssef Chahed of Tunisia, President of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People Mohamed Ennaceur of Tunisia, Emir of Qatar, Prime Minister of France, Prime Minister of Algeria, as well as representatives from Kuwait, Belgium, Turkey, Italy, Canada, the US, the EU, the World Bank and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development were present. The conference raised about 15 billion US dollar of financial support for Tunisia.