On April 18, 2016, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Yu Zhengsheng, who was paying an official goodwill visit to Ghana, held talks with Parliament Speaker Edward Korbly Doe Adjaho of Ghana in Accra.

Yu Zhengsheng firstly conveyed sincere greetings from Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Zhang Dejiang to Edward Korbly Doe Adjaho. Yu Zhengsheng said that the traditional friendship between China and Ghana was established by the leaders of the older generations of the two countries including Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai and President Francis Nwia Kwame Nkrumah, and it has withstood various tests, becomes stronger and continues to develop. The two countries have witnessed continuously strengthened political mutual trust, fruitful results from practical cooperation, and active people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The two sides have coordinated closely and supported each other on issues concerning respective core interests, and bilateral economic and trade cooperation has maintained strong growth in the context of global economic downturn.

Yu Zhengsheng pointed out that in recent years Ghana has enjoyed political stability, sustained economic growth and admirable development achievements. China believes that Africa, with great potential for development, will achieve rapid development in the foreseeable future. Africa's development is an important opportunity for China's development. The better development of Africa and closer China-Africa cooperation will bring greater possibility for the sustained growth of China's economy. Meanwhile, the sustained and stable development of China's economy would also bring more opportunities to Africa. The strengthening of unity and cooperation with Africa is an important cornerstone of China's foreign policy, and it is also China's long-term and firm strategic choice. Last December, President Xi Jinping announced at the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) the ten major China-Africa cooperation plans. My visit to Ghana this time mainly aims at advancing the implementation of the summit outcomes in Ghana and promoting new achievements in bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Yu Zhengsheng said that during their meeting on the sidelines of the FOCAC Summit, President Xi Jinping and President John Dramani Mahama have mapped out a grand blueprint for the development of China-Ghana relations. The two sides should implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and jointly push forward the development of China-Ghana relations. First, strengthen political guidance and enhance political mutual trust. We should expand exchanges between the two governments, political parties and parliaments to consolidate the political foundation of bilateral friendship. The two countries should coordinate closely in international affairs, and China supports Ghana to play a greater role in promoting regional peace and development. Second, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and promote common development. China supports African countries to transform from resources-dependent development to the upstream of industrial chain, push ahead agricultural modernization, balance resources exploitation and environmental protection, and strengthen infrastructure construction. China stands ready to expand cooperation with Ghana in various fields such as infrastructure, oil and natural gas, electricity, aviation, shipbuilding, agriculture and fishery and human resources development, explore new ways of cooperation and enhance the level of cooperation. The two sides can make full use of the new trend of the constant combination of China's technologies and equipment with Ghana's national capitals, so as to promote cooperation in production capacity and equipment manufacturing. Third, continue strengthening people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Both countries should promote exchanges between the two peoples, and enhance communication and cooperation in areas such as education, culture, medical care, public health and sports. The CPPCC is willing to further strengthen exchanges with the Parliament of Ghana, in a bid to make more contributions to promoting the further development of bilateral relations.

Edward Korbly Doe Adjaho said that Ghana established diplomatic relations with China as early as its independence. Over the years, Ghana-China friendly relations have been increasingly deepened, and bilateral practical cooperation has made great achievements. The two sides should make joint efforts to achieve greater progress in bilateral relations based on the solid foundation laid by previous leaders. Ghana admires China's development achievements, and is willing to learn from China's development experience. Ghana firmly adheres to the One-China policy, and stands ready to strengthen practical cooperation with China, promote non-governmental exchanges, push forward the development of Ghana-China relations and bring benefits to the two peoples.

Several members of the Parliament of Ghana said that Ghana speaks highly of ten major Africa-China cooperation plans and relevant financial support measures announced by President Xi Jinping. These timely plans and measures launched by China fit well with the current development plans of African countries. and will be conductive to the future development of Africa. Though a third world country, China has first-class equipment and technologies, and Ghanaian enterprises look forward to strengthening cooperation with Chinese enterprises. All political parties in Ghana support the development of Ghana-China relations, and are grateful for the help and support extended by China to the development of Ghana. The Parliament of Ghana stands ready to strengthen friendly exchanges with the CPPCC and legislative bodies of China, promote bilateral personnel exchanges, strengthen cooperation in areas including education and youth, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the CPPCC National Committee Zhang Qingli and Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee Liu Xiaofeng attended the talks.