On July 28, 2016, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing with Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and African Integration Abdoulaye Diop of Mali, who was in China to attend the Sherpa Meeting on Implementing Outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Johannesburg Summit.

Wang Yi expressed that Mali is the third sub-Saharan African country that established diplomatic relations with China. Bilateral traditional friendship has withstood the test of international vicissitudes. China is willing to work with Mali to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by both heads of state and the summit outcomes, further consolidate the foundation of political unity and mutual trust between the two countries, and deepen cooperation in the two major areas of development as well as peace and security, so as to constantly elevate bilateral relations to new levels.

Abdoulaye Diop said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, bilateral relations have always maintained a strong momentum of development. Mali is willing to share mutual understanding and support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns with China, so as to continuously push forward bilateral traditional friendship. Mali extends profound condolences to the death of the Chinese peacekeeping soldier in an attack in Mali.

Both sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.