Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The People’s Republic of China
Wang Yi: China-Africa Cooperation Is Sincere and Selfless and Has No Geopolitical Purposes
Updated: June 24, 2019 11:32

On June 24, 2019, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji of Zambia, Foreign Minister Luis Filipe Tavares of Cape Verde and Foreign Minister Gbehzohngar Findley of Liberia respectively in Beijing.

Wang Yi expressed that with a commitment to the concept of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith and the values of friendship, justice and shared interests put forward by President Xi Jinping, the Chinese side has, together with the African side, blazed a trail of win-win cooperation with distinctive characteristics. The Chinese side's cooperation with African countries is sincere and selfless, and has no geopolitical purposes. We have always followed the principle of non-interference in other countries internal affairs, carried out cooperation under the framework of South-South cooperation according to the needs of African countries, and achieved common development by helping each other. The debt problems in African countries are due to historical reasons and have nothing to do with China-Africa cooperation. Quite the contrary, China-Africa cooperation is conducive to Africa's infrastructure construction, realizing economic and social benefits, enhancing African countries' own development capabilities and realizing sustainable development. Africa offers a grand stage of cooperation between different countries, not an arena of major powers' game. It is believed that African friends will draw a right conclusion on who truly values, respects, and supports Africa.

Foreign Minister of Zambia said that jointly cultivated by the leaders of older generation of both countries, Zambia-China relations are built on mutual respect and deeply rooted in the friendship between the two peoples. The current claims in the international community that Zambia-China cooperation has led to Zambia's debt problem are inconsistent with the facts. The Chinese side's loans are used on the infrastructure that Zambia needs the most, to promote Zambia's economic development for sound development and bring social welfare to the Zambian people.

Foreign Minister of Cape Verde said that Cape Verde cherishes relations with China very much, upholds the one-China principle and hopes to become China's best friend in Africa. Cape Verde stands ready to fully implement consensus reached by leaders of the two countries with the Chinese side, enhance strategic dialogue, and deepen cooperation on all fronts, particularly marine economy cooperation, to push bilateral relations into a new era.

Foreign Minister of Liberia said that with a profound friendship, Liberia and China understand each other and support each other. The Liberian side resolutely follows the one-China principle, which is the cornerstone of the friendly relations between the two countries. China is Liberia's true friend who has helped fight Ebola alongside the Liberian side and played an important role in post-epidemic reconstruction in Liberia. The Liberian side is ready to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation with the Chinese side to advance bilateral relations for new results.

After the meetings, Wang Yi and the three foreign ministers witnessed the signing of relevant bilateral cooperation agreements respectively.