In a significant move strengthening international ties, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Sao Tome and Principe's Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada in Beijing on Thursday. The meeting took place during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), marking an official visit.
During their discussions, the two leaders announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. President Xi emphasized that Sao Tome and Principe's reintegration into the China-Africa cooperative family aligns perfectly with the shared interests of both nations.
\"China will, as always, support Sao Tome and Principe in advancing national construction and economic development,\" Xi stated. He further called for both countries to uphold the spirit of friendship, enhance governance and administrative exchanges, and build stronger strategic mutual trust.
The leaders also explored expanding cooperation in key areas such as tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure. President Xi highlighted that these initiatives would enable Sao Tome and Principe to reap greater benefits from the summit's outcomes. He also expressed China's willingness to collaborate on international and regional issues to protect the common interests of both nations and other developing countries.
Prime Minister Trovoada expressed gratitude towards China for its invaluable assistance in Sao Tome and Principe's economic development. He praised the partnership actions unveiled by Xi during the FOCAC summit's opening ceremony, noting their potential to significantly advance both Sao Tome and Principe and broader African development.
Trovoada reaffirmed Sao Tome and Principe's strong commitment to the one-China principle and expressed appreciation for the important concepts and initiatives proposed by President Xi, including the vision of building a community with a shared future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
