News Article

China and DRC sign MoU on Belt and Road cooperation
CGTN
/ Categories: News

China and DRC sign MoU on Belt and Road cooperation

China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on Wednesday.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his DRC counterpart, Marie Tumba Nzeza, signed the MoU after earlier talks in Kinshasa. 

The Chinese diplomat is on a five-nation tour in Africa – his first overseas trip in 2021. The DRC is Wang's second stop following his visit to Nigeria. He will later travel to Botswana, Tanzania, and Seychelles. 

Wang said the BRI is an important international cooperation initiative and is committed to promoting economic complementarity among countries, synergizing development strategies, forming joint development efforts, and realizing common development and prosperity. 

At present, China has signed BRI cooperation documents with 44 African countries, Wang said, adding that China welcomes the DRC as its 45th partner in Africa in BRI cooperation. 

Wang said the signing of the MoU will send a positive signal to the world that China and DRC are committed to common development and prosperity. 

It will also drive economic cooperation between the two countries, create a stronger momentum for mutually beneficial cooperation, and open up broader prospects for bilateral relations. 

Proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the BRI comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes.

During his talks with Nzeza, Wang said China's friendly policy towards the DRC maintains continuity and stability and is not affected by changes in their respective domestic situations. China has never interfered in the internal affairs of other countries and respects the choices made by the DRC people, he said.

"I believe the DRC will continue to give China understanding and support on issues involving China's core interests," he said.

Nzeza said the friendship between China and the DRC has a long history, adding that their relationship is based on mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit.

The DRC thanked China for its important help in maintaining peace and realizing development in the country. The DRC firmly supports China in safeguarding national unity and territorial integrity, she said.

CGTNGu Yetao

Other posts by CGTN
Contact author
blog comments powered by Disqus

Contact author

x

Latest