On July 24, 2010, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) Joseph Kabila met with visiting Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo in Kinshasa.

Kabila said the two countries enjoy a long history of bilateral relations and have always been friendly to each other. The current visit by Dai Bingguo on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of DR Congo independence is of great significance. Over the past five decades, bilateral relations have been developing very well, with smooth progress of economic cooperation and close coordination in international affairs. The Congolese side is satisfied with these achievements. As DR Congo is at a critical stage of post-war reconstruction, it will make efforts to safeguard national peace and stability and focus on the development of infrastructure, health, education and other key areas.

Describing DR Congo and China as brothers, Kabila pointed out that China has always stood with DR Congo over the years, especially on the issues concerning state sovereignty. He believed China will as always play an important role in his country’s reconstruction process. Congo-China cooperation is of strategic significance to reconstruction and economic and social development of DR Congo and the Congolese side is ready to take China as a key cooperative partner and further enhance friendly cooperative relations with it in all areas.

Dai said the Chinese people hold profound feelings towards African people. He said the purpose of his current visit is to understand and learn from Africa directly and listen to the opinions of African friends on how to further China-Africa friendly relations under the new situation. China-Congo friendly cooperative relations have made substantial progress in recent years and pragmatic cooperation between both sides has yielded fruitful results and enjoys huge potential and broad prospects.

Dai said the relationship between the two countries is based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit and is a relationship of mutual help and common development. China-Congo cooperation is strategic and mutually beneficial. The Chinese government will unswervingly advance bilateral cooperation in all areas and continue to take part in and support DR Congo’s economic and social development. Dai urged both sides to build up political trust, keep closer high-level exchanges and support each other on issues concerning both sides’ core and key interests. He also called on both sides to deepen and expand economic and trade cooperation, well implement eight new measures announced at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and push for long-term sound and stable development of bilateral ties.

On the same day, Prime Minister of DR Congo Adolphe Muzito met with Dai and both sides attended a signing ceremony of bilateral cooperation documents. During the visit, Dai also visited relevant China-Congo cooperation projects and held discussion with representatives from Chinese institutions in DR Congo.