On July 11, 2018, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui of Tunisia in Beijing, who was in China for the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF).

Wang Yi said that in recent years, under the common concern of President Xi Jinping and President Beji Caid Essebsi, relations between the two countries have continued to maintain a stable development momentum. China appreciates Tunisia's firm support on issues related to China's core interests and major concerns. In the next stage, the two sides should well manage the work of implementing the outcomes of the CASCF and preparing for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). China and Tunisia should strengthen cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, tap into the potential of cooperation between both countries and continue to promote major cooperation projects, thus constantly improving the level of cooperation. The Chinese side appreciates the active efforts made by the Tunisian side to promote the political settlement of the Libyan issue, and is willing to maintain communication with the Tunisian side in this regard so as to jointly facilitate the restoration of peace and stability in Libya as soon as possible.

Khemaies Jhinaoui expressed that the important consensus reached and fruitful outcomes produced at the 8th CASCF Ministerial Meeting have once again proved that China has always been a good friend and good partner that Arab and African countries can rely on. Tunisia will actively participate in the FOCAC Beijing Summit and work with China to promote the Summit to achieve a complete success. The Tunisian side cherishes the traditional friendship with China and is satisfied with the current bilateral cooperation in various fields. Tunisia attaches great importance to the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping and is willing to actively participate in the joint construction process of this Initiative, as well as hopes to become an important fulcrum for the implementation of this Initiative in North Africa. The Tunisian side welcomes more Chinese tourists to travel in Tunisia. Tunisia attaches importance to China's significant role in international affairs, appreciates China's adherence to an objective and just position on issues such as the Palestinian issue, and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China on hotspot issues in the Middle East such as the Palestinian issue and the Libyan issue.

After the meeting, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding between China and Tunisia on jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative.