The Chinese President Xi Jinping has agreed to upgrade the relationship between China and Angola to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” through a summit with the President of Angola, João Lourenço.
According to the state-run New China News Agency, on the 16th, the two countries announced a joint statement focusing on upgrading their relations the day after the summit between President Xi and President Lourenço held at the People’s Great Hall in Beijing.
At the summit, Xi emphasized, “China is a reliable friend and a true partner to our African friends.”
He stated, “The rise of developing countries cannot be stopped, and the Global South (referring to the emerging and developing countries mainly located in the southern hemisphere) must not be left out of global governance, development, and prosperity.” He also promised, “We will actively support Angola’s core infrastructure projects, modernization, and economic development involving industrialization.”
Angola is a resource-rich country known as one of the top two oil-producing countries in Africa. Recently, however, it has become the battleground of intense competition between the US and China, as the US Is now actively taking measures to counter China’s increasing influence.
Xi’s remarks emphasize China’s long-standing friendly relationship with Africa and reflect his intentions to secure an “ally,” the leader of the Global South, to counter the US.
Lourenço responded, “China’s support and cooperation have greatly promoted Angola’s infrastructure construction and socio-economic development. We welcome more investment from Chinese companies in Angola.”
Lourenço reaffirmed Angola’s firm adherence to the “One China” principle and stated, “Taiwan is an inseparable territory of China.” New China News Agency reported that he said, “I believe that the dispute around Taiwanese territory will be resolved smoothly.”
Following the summit, the two countries signed cooperation documents on the Belt and Road Initiative (a land and sea Silk Road connecting China, Central Asia, and Europe), economic trade, agriculture, and green development.
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