Strong foundation to build on
China-Angola relations are practical, sincere and mutually beneficial
Jan 12 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Angola.
Friendly relations between China and African countries are a historical choice made by both sides. China is the world's largest developing country while the African continent is home to the largest number of developing countries. Dubbed "the treasure trove of Africa", Angola is an important country in the African continent, enjoying a good geographical location, beautiful scenery and abundant natural resources. After its hard-won independence in the 1970s, Angola has made great strides in nation building and development, with its economy maintaining relatively fast growth, its national image progressing with each passing day, and receiving wide acclaim in the international community.
As a line from a Chinese classical poem says, "Good friends feel close to each other even when they are far apart." China is about 10,000 kilometers away from Angola, but the affinity between the two has never been affected by the mountains or oceans in between. Looking back on China-Angola exchanges over the years, the two countries have always respected and trusted each other, treating each other with all sincerity and sharing weal and woe. China has been firmly supporting Angolan people's just pursuit of national liberation, their unremitting efforts for lasting peace, and their great cause of building Angola into a prosperous and strong nation. On the other side of the equation, Angola has been unswervingly supporting China on issues concerning China's core interests and grave concerns. The two are also working together closely on the global stage to jointly defend the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 40 years ago, China-Angola relations have become increasingly solid and mature after standing the test of volatile international situations. The two countries have maintained frequent high-level exchanges and cemented their mutual political trust. History has witnessed numerous milestone events of the China-Angola friendship — from the signing of the joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1983 to establishing a strategic partnership in 2010, from constructors of both sides jointly building large infrastructure projects to bilateral practical cooperation in all fields deepening and expanding, and from Angola becoming one of the first African countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative to the two countries closely cooperating with each other under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
The sound development of bilateral relations could not have been achieved without the care and guidance from leaders of both countries. Angolan President Joao Lourenco attended the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit in early September and paid a state visit to China in early October the same year, becoming the first head of state from Africa to pay a state visit to China after the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit. President Xi Jinping met with Angolan President João Lourenço twice in about a month. Over the past few years, the two heads of state have kept in close communication through various channels, and have reached a series of important consensuses. Bilateral friendly cooperative relations have been continuously consolidated and advanced, forging a pattern wherein their interests are increasingly intertwined and delivering tangible benefits to the two peoples.
Angola has been one of China's major crude oil suppliers, an important investment destination and project contracting market in Africa for China, and a priority of China's "going global" strategy and international capacity cooperation. China's direct investment in Angola during the past three years and accumulative investment in the country are both top of the list. Chinese crude oil imports from Angola accounted for around 8 percent of its total crude oil imports; and Angola has risen to be China's second-largest trading partner in Africa in 2022. It has been proven by facts that China-Angola pragmatic cooperation has achieved fruitful outcomes, becoming a pioneer and ballast for Sino-African friendly cooperation.
In the meantime, China has become Angola's largest trading partner, a major project contractor, and an important source of investment and financing. Chinese companies have repaired or built nearly 3,000 kilometers of railway, 20,000 km of road, over 100,000 social housing, over 100 schools and over 50 hospitals in Angola. The Chinese government has provided free assistance for the construction of the Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centre, Venâncio de Moura Diplomatic Academy, vocational training center (Cinfotec), etc. in Angola. Thousands of talented youths from Angola have come to China to study or get trained and then gone back to their home country to contribute their wisdom and ability. Chinese companies have established large-scale farms in Angola and invested heavily in such industrial sectors as construction materials, iron and steel, daily-use chemical industry, home appliances, instruments, batteries, and packing materials. Currently, the top-selling auto and cellphone products in Angola are Chinese brands. The presence of made-in-China and constructed-by-China goods are ubiquitous in Angola's major cities and towns, greatly improving local people's living, traffic and work conditions.
Upholding sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, the China-Angola relationship is more solid than gold. Following 40 years of ups and downs, the China-Angola friendship has remained true to the original aspiration. Both countries have sustained impetus to view bilateral relations from a long-term perspective, share a common dream of building a modern country, and have forged ahead in unity. The two countries have always been a community with a shared future, laying a solid foundation for embarking on a more splendid new journey of bilateral relations and injecting renewed impetus into elevating bilateral pragmatic cooperation to new heights.
Currently, both China and Angola are at a critical stage of development. Last October, the highly anticipated 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was successfully held in Beijing, and a new government was formed in Angola. The two countries share a similar political agenda and synchronized development pace. Further strengthening the bilateral strategic alignment, solidarity and cooperation is in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples. China is willing to work with Angola to take the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as a new start to further carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries, bolster mutually beneficial cooperation, jointly cope with challenges and realize common development. Together, we will usher in a brighter future for China-Angola relations and build a closer China-Angola community and China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.
The author is the Chinese ambassador to Angola. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn
