On September 23, 2018 local time, President Desi Bouterse of Suriname met with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the presidential palace in Paramaribo.

Desi Bouterse asked Wang Yi to convey his warm greetings to President Xi Jinping. Desi Bouterse said that Suriname and China share a long-term friendship, and the Surinamese government speaks highly of the important contributions made by the Chinese Surinamese to the Suriname's economic and social development for a long time. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, mutual trust between the two countries has continuously been increased and cooperation has gone on smoothly. Suriname firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and appreciates the Chinese side for its long-term selfless help and support. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s important visit this time will further promote the in-depth development of the bilateral relations.

Desi Bouterse said that the Surinamese government is committed to deepening exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various areas such as infrastructure construction, tourism and people-to-people and cultural engagement and will continue to actively support and participate in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. It is believed that strengthening the cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative between Suriname and China will provide new impetus for the in-depth development of bilateral relations and better benefit the two peoples. Suriname and China share similar appeals and views on many international issues. Suriname is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with China under the framework of South-South cooperation on important multilateral agendas such as development assistance, climate change and human rights.

Wang Yi conveyed President Xi Jinping’s warm greetings to President Desi Bouterse, and noted that President Xi Jinping and Mr. President have met three times and reached many important consensuses, charting the course for the development of bilateral relations. It is the first time for a Chinese Foreign Minister to visit Suriname, but the two peoples have already forged a deep friendship. More than 160 years ago, the first group of Chinese arrived and settled in Suriname. They actively integrated into the local society and made contributions to the economic and social development of Suriname, and the Chinese culture has become an important part of Suriname’s multi-culture. Suriname is the first country in the Western Hemisphere to make the traditional Chinese festival, the Spring Festival, a statutory holiday, which shortens the psychological distance between the two peoples.

Wang Yi said that China and Suriname share similar positions on many major international issues and we regard Suriname as a reliable friend. Both sides should continue to understand and support each other on issues concerning respective core interests and major concerns. We will also support Suriname's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and national dignity on international occasions. China and Suriname are both developing countries. China-Suriname cooperation is a model of South-South cooperation featuring mutual support and mutual help. In carrying out cooperation with Suriname, China has no strings attached, nor seeks selfish interests, and gives prior consideration to Suriname's actual needs in national development. China appreciates Suriname's immediate support and participation in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. The two sides should take the consolidation of political mutual trust as a foundation and the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative as a driving force to promote bilateral relations for all-round development. The Chinese side is also willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Surinamese side in international affairs such as climate change and human rights.

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yldiz Pollack-Beighle of Suriname, Wang Yi paid an official visit to Suriname from September 22 to 23. During the visit, Wang Yi also held talks with Vice President Ashwin Adhin of Suriname, met with Foreign Minister Yldiz Pollack-Beighle of Suriname and jointly met the press.