On the morning of September 1, 2023, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council met at the Great Hall of the People with President of Benin Patrice Athanase Guillaume Talon, who is in China for a state visit.

Li Qiang said that Benin is an important cooperative partner of China in West Africa. The two countries have always been sincere and friendly, and the relations between the countries have become a model of mutual respect and equal treatment between developing countries. Li Qiang expressed his belief that under the strategic guidance and promotion of President Xi Jinping and President Talon, China-Benin relations will reach a new level, and friendly cooperation in various fields will see more fruitful results.

Li Qiang pointed out that China will, as always, firmly support Benin in following a development path that suits its national conditions, in safeguarding its national sovereignty, and in maintaining domestic stability and development. China is ready to work with Benin to seek greater synergy of economic and social development strategies, accelerate the implementation of key projects in light of the Belt and Road Initiative and the nine programs of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, steadily expand cooperation in infrastructure, oil and gas development, digital information, industrial parks and other fields, and broaden people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to better achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. China supports and encourages qualified Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Benin to promote industrialization and agricultural modernization of Benin, and to help Benin continue strengthening its domestic growth momentum. China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Benin, practice true multilateralism, oppose unilateralism and bullying acts, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice.

Talon said that China is Benin's long-term friendly partner and the cooperation between the two countries has yielded fruitful results. China has set an example of development for Benin and other African countries, and has brought hope and confidence to Africa. He sincerely thanked China for the long-term support and assistance it has provided as a brother to Benin and other African countries. Benin is ready to learn from China's development experience, deepen cooperation in such fields as industry, agriculture, investment and education, promote the continuous development of Benin-China relations, and build a community with a shared future between the two countries.

Wu Zhenglong attended the meeting.