China backs Africa in pursuing independent path for development: Xi

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – China said on Wednesday that Beijing strongly supports Africa in pursuing “a unique and independent development path.”

“China and Africa need to strengthen solidarity and cooperation more than ever,” President Xi Jinping told his Gabonese counterpart Ali Bongo Ondimba who is on a state visit to China.

“The two sides need to carry forward the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation,” said Xi, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

“China firmly supports Africa in pursuing a unique and independent development path,” Xi added.

His comments on Beijing’s relations comes as bilateral trade between China and Africa surged last year to a record $282 billion, which is an 11% rise year-on-year.

Chinese exports to Africa were recorded at around $164.49 billion, which posted an increase of 11.2% last year while imports from the African continent rose to $117.51 billion last year.

China and Gabon – a nation of 2.34 million people situated along the Atlantic coast of Central Africa – have agreed to elevate their comprehensive cooperative partnership to a “comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership” as the two nations mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations next year.

Xi told Ondimba: “China firmly supports Africa in advancing food security, industrialization and green development and in becoming an important pole in the world politically, economically and culturally.”

“China’s development will be a source of new opportunities for Africa. China will work with Africa to make our practical cooperation a model of South-South cooperation and Africa’s cooperation with the world,” said the Chinese president.