From June 10 to 12, 2019, Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong visited the Republic of the Congo (ROC) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He paid courtesy calls on President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the ROC and President Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC respectively, and met on separate occasions with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Congolese Nationals Abroad Jean-Claude Gakosso of the ROC and Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Franck Mwe Di Malila of the DRC. They exchanged in-depth views on bilateral relations, the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and international and regional issues of common concern.

Chen Xiaodong said that China enjoys profound traditional friendship with the ROC and the DRC, with fruitful results from cooperation in various fields in recent years. The Chinese side is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges at all levels with the two countries, enhance political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation under the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and the implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and intensify coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, in a bid to promote new and greater development of China's relations with the two countries respectively and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

The ROC side expressed that the ROC side cherishes the ROC-China friendship like protecting eyes, and thanks the Chinese side for its long-term and precious support and assistance to the ROC. The ROC side is willing to, together with the Chinese side, well implement the important consensus of the two heads of state and the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as special economic zones, infrastructure and aviation, so as to constantly enrich the connotation of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

Speaking highly of the DRC-China friendly cooperative relations, the DRC appreciates the Chinese side for its valuable support in the critical stages and key areas of the DRC's national development. The DRC side stands ready to deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields with the Chinese side under the new situation to promote bilateral strategic partnership featuring win-win cooperation to a higher level.

During the visits to the ROC and the DRC, Chen Xiaodong gave respective interviews to mainstream media in the two countries on such topics as the trade frictions between China and the United States (US) and the US side attacking and discrediting China's cooperation with Africa. He expounded on the Chinese side's principled stance, and emphasized that the US side's provocation of the China-US trade friction, pursuit of "America First" and adoption of bullying practices hurt others without benefiting itself. Such gestures not only harm the interests of China and the US, but also hinder economic growth of various countries including African countries. The essence of this contest is the choice between multilateralism and unilateralism, free trade and protectionism, mutual benefit and win-win results and zero-sum game. China does not want, and is not willing to fight a trade war, and stands ready to resolve relevant disputes between China and the US through equal consultation. However, China is not afraid of a trade war and it will fight one if necessary. China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, and safeguard international fairness and justice as well as the common interests of the vast number of developing countries including African ones. The China-Africa cooperation outcomes can be seen by all and China-Africa friendship has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. The African countries and people will reach their own just conclusion on who truly respects Africa, cares about Africa and supports Africa. Today's Africa needs sincere cooperation partners rather than preachers indulging in empty talks, as well as equality, mutual benefit and win-win results rather than arrogance, prejudice and selfishness.