China backs Republic of Congo's role in promoting int'l cooperation with Africa for its development: Minister

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - China supports the Republic of Congo’s role in promoting international cooperation with Africa for the continent’s development, the country’s foreign minister said Wednesday.

Wang Yi made the remarks after meeting with President Denis Sassou Nguesso in the capital Brazzaville, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The Republic of Congo is a co-chair with China of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and Sassou said an action plan presented last September during a Beijing summit of the forum aligned with Africa’s needs to develop.

Wang said China was willing to collaborate with the Republic of Congo to implement the summit’s outcomes to support the modernization and development of Africa.

“Congo's role as co-chair of FOCAC will be a great success for the implementation of the objectives of partnership between China and Africa,” he added.

He reaffirmed China's readiness to be the “most reliable partner” of the Central African nation in its development journey and to “support Congo's role as co-chair of FOCAC in driving international cooperation with Africa.”

Wang has been on a New Year tour of Africa since Sunday as part of a 35-year tradition.

He began his trip with a visit to Namibia and will also visit Chad and Nigeria.