On March 29, 2013, President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech entitled “Jointly Compose New Chapters in the Friendship between the Chinese and African People” at the Parliament of the Republic of Congo.

Around 5:00 P.M., President Xi, accompanied by Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso, arrived at the Congolese parliament building, where he was met by President of the National Assembly Justin Koumba, Senate President André Obami Itou and other members of the Congolese parliament.

As the two presidents walked into the parliament, all rose to welcome them. Amidst warm applause, Xi started his speech.

President Xi noted that since China and the Republic of Congo established diplomatic ties nearly half a century ago, bilateral friendship has grown steadily and vigorously and produced fruitful results. The comprehensive cooperative partnership of solidarity and mutual assistance between China and the Republic of Congo has become a model of South-South cooperation.

Xi said that, after meeting with many African leaders during this trip and having extensive contacts with African people from various sectors, he is convinced that Africa is a continent full of vitality and hope and China-Africa cooperation has great potential and bright prospects. In the new era, China's development will bring unprecedented opportunities to Africa, while Africa's development will also provide unprecedented opportunities for China's development. Xi called on the two sides to stick to the path of mutually beneficial cooperation and common development.

Xi stressed that, confronted with the changes and new developments in the international situation, China will continue to uphold the principle of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, and commit itself unswervingly to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. No matter how the international situation changes, China will always remain Africa's all-weather friend and partner. China will firmly keep up solidarity and mutual assistance and strengthen mutual trust and cooperation with African nations.

Xi stressed that true friends are real assets and the Republic of Congo is China’s true friend. After an earthquake struck Yushu in China’s Qinghai Province in April, 2010, the government of the Republic of Congo donated funds for the construction of a primary school, which was named “China-Republic of Congo Friendship Primary School” by President Sassou. In a letter to President Sassou from the pupils at the school, there are the following lines:” As the sky affords the birds limitless freedom to soar into the clouds, the vast prairie makes horses more robust, and the sun and rain bestows beauty on flowers, our life has turned for the better thanks to the assistance from the government and people of the Republic of Congo.” On behalf of these pupils, Xi extended his heart-felt gratitude to the Congolese government and people.

As another example, Xi recalled one night in December, 2012 when the Congolese capital Brazzaville was hit by a heavy storm and a number of houses in the suburb were flooded. Three Chinese nationals, at the risk of their own lives, saved 12 of their Congolese neighbors caught in the flood, including 5 children. The heroic action of these three Chinese was lavishly praised by local people.

Xi said these stories demonstrate that the people-to-people ties and exchanges are the fundamental basis for China-Africa relations. China-Africa relations need both "hard backing" such as economic cooperation, and "soft propellant" like people-to-people ties, which is an important pillar for building a new type of strategic partnership between China and Africa. He called for building more platforms for direct contacts between Chinese and African peoples, and providing more information sources for mutual understanding, so that the bilateral friendship could be passed on to the future generations.

At the end of his speech, the Chinese president, who will soon conclude his visit and leave Brazzaville for home, said that he will carry home the happy memories of the visit to Africa. He called on the two sides to combine their efforts in composing new chapters in their friendship.

As Xi’s speech struck a responsive and deep chord in the audience, it was punctuated by warm and enthusiastic applauses. And it ended in prolonged applause with the audience all rising to their feet.

For his part, Koumba said the people of the Republic of Congo and China have always stood side by side with each other and the growing cooperation between the two countries has benefited the Congolese people. Congolese people cherish their friendship with Chinese people. As China has set a good example in successful development, he said his country hopes to deepen cooperation with China.

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu and Yang Jiechi participated in the meeting.