Xi dispatches envoy to Equatorial Guinea's independence anniversary

MALABO - President Xi Jinping's special envoy Zhang Chunxian attended on Friday the 50th independence anniversary of Equatorial Guinea.

Zhang, a vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, was invited by Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, with whom Zhang met on Thursday.

Zhang conveyed Xi's warm greetings and best wishes to Obiang, and passed him a congratulatory letter from the president.

"China and Equatorial Guinea have enjoyed a friendship for many years marked by fruitful bilateral cooperation in various fields," the special envoy said.

"China is ready to implement with Equatorial Guinea the important consensus of the two heads of state and the fruits of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, to further develop their comprehensive cooperative partnership and to contribute to building an even stronger China-Africa community of a shared future," he said.

Obiang asked Zhang to send his best wishes to his Chinese counterpart, describing China as a "sincere friend and major partner of African countries".

"The eight major initiatives announced by the Chinese president at the FOCAC Beijing Summit will further support the sustainable development of Africa. Equatorial Guinea is ready to deepen cooperation with China under the FOCAC to better develop their bilateral relations," he said.

During his stay in Malabo, the capital, Zhang also met President of the Senate of Equatorial Guinea Maria Teresa Efua Asangono.

Xinhua