(Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo held talks in Beijing on Tuesday, and the two heads of state agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a China-Mozambique community with a shared future in the new era.
Stressing that the long-standing friendship between China and Mozambique has served as an example for China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation, Xi said that under the new context, the deepening of friendly cooperation between China and Mozambique meets the common expectations of the two peoples and reflects the prevailing trend in the global South to strengthen solidarity and collaboration to jointly address challenges.
China is ready to work with Mozambique to seize the opportunity provided by the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges in 2026 to pursue modernization together, Xi noted.
Friendship and mutual trust are the defining characteristics and political strengths of China-Mozambican relations, Xi said, adding that the two sides should continue to firmly support each other on issues affecting their core interests and major concerns, promote exchanges at various levels and in various fields, including between governments, political parties, legislative bodies and the local level, and deepen the sharing of experiences in party and state governance.
He stressed that China and Mozambique enjoy strong economic complementarity and broad cooperation prospects. Noting that this year marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period, Xi said the country is ready to strengthen the alignment of its development strategies with those of Mozambique, explore new models of cooperation, open up new horizons in infrastructure development and comprehensive exploitation of energy and mineral resources, foster new areas of cooperation in agriculture, new energy, digital economy and artificial intelligence, and promote high-level growth. quality and lasting practical cooperation between the two countries.
Facing a complex and volatile international environment, the two sides should continue to strengthen coordination and collaboration within the United Nations and other institutions, work in solidarity to promote a fair and orderly multipolar world and inclusive and win-win economic globalization, and jointly uphold international fairness and justice, Xi stressed.
In the 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Africa, in the constantly changing international environment, the two sides have supported each other through thick and thin and moved forward side by side, Xi said, stressing that the global South, represented by China and African nations, has always been a force for justice in a world marked by turbulence and transformation.
As the repercussions of the Middle East conflict are felt in African countries, China is ready to work hand in hand with Africa to address these challenges, jointly promote peace and work together to advance development, Xi said, calling on both sides to uphold the principles of peace, maintain determination for development and promote win-win cooperation.
He added that the two sides should uphold the principles of advancing peace, jointly call for a ceasefire and an end to hostilities, advocate the resolution of disputes through dialogue on an equal footing, advance the practice of genuine multilateralism in the international community, and firmly uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, as well as the basic norms governing international relations.
Calling for focus on further development, Xi said China has always given special priority to Africa in its steady expansion of high-level opening-up.
According to him, China will fully implement zero-tariff measures for the 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations from May 1 this year and further expand access to the Chinese market for African exports by improving green corridors and other related measures.
He also called on the two sides to promote a win-win cooperation model, adding that China is ready to meet the aspirations of African countries, tap the potential for cooperation, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, support Africa’s development, and jointly build a community with a shared future between China and Africa in the new era.
For his part, Chapo expressed his great pleasure at being the first leader of an African country to pay a state visit to China this year. He congratulated China for its remarkable achievements and its exemplary role among the countries of the South.
Mozambique attaches great importance to its relations with China, wholeheartedly adheres to the one-China principle, and supports China in achieving national reunification, Chapo said.
He expressed Mozambique’s willingness to work with China, on the basis of mutual respect and trust, to consolidate solidarity and friendship and strengthen cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, agriculture and energy, thereby opening new chapters in jointly building the community with a shared future between Mozambique and China in the new era.
Noting that the implementation of the results of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and China’s zero tariff policy towards African countries having diplomatic relations with it will provide a strong impetus to the economic and social development of African countries, Chapo said Mozambique thanks China for its support to African countries.
Hailing the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, the four major global initiatives and the Belt and Road Initiative, which have made important contributions to promoting global peace, stability and development, Chapo stressed that Mozambique is ready to work with China to implement these initiatives and make the world a better place.
At the end of the meeting, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of more than 20 cooperation documents covering areas such as cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, implementation of the Global Security Initiative, economy and trade, people-to-people exchanges, health and media.
The two sides issued the Joint Declaration between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Mozambique on Building a China-Mozambique Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.
Before the meeting, Mr. Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, held a welcoming ceremony for Mr. Chapo and his wife, Gueta Chapo, at the Great Hall of the People.
Mr. Xi and his wife also hosted a welcome banquet in honor of Mr. Chapo and his wife on Tuesday evening.
(Xinhua/Ding Haitao)
