Progress in China-Angola cooperation

The author is China's ambassador to Angola.

It has been five years since China and Angola entered into a strategic partnership. This bilateral relationship has witnessed tremendous progress with the efforts of both countries. I was sent to Angola to serve as the ambassador the second year after the establishment of the strategic ties, at a time when Sino-Angolan cooperation was still doubted by many.

However, I feel that the voice of doubt has weakened in the past two years and even those skeptics are learning from this relationship. The China-Angola relationship is a microcosm of the fast-developing China-Africa relationship, as well as a reflection of China's efforts in integrating with the world and sharing its influence.

Over the past few years, the bilateral ties between China and Angola have achieved much with many highlights and breakthroughs. The two countries have cooperated in many more fields, including politics, diplomacy, trade and economy, culture, education, and consular, police and military affairs.

For example, the escort fleet of the Chinese navy visited Angola for the first time last year and China set up its first Confucius Institute in Angola this year.

The two countries are also involved in more mutual interests. A number of projects involving hydroelectricity, transportation, housing, ports and railways that are built by Chinese enterprises have been completed, marking Angola's post-war reconstruction efforts.

China is Angola's largest trading partner and oil importer and a leading source of investment and imported goods. Angola is China's second-largest oil supplier globally and trading partner in Africa, and the third-largest project contracting market.

Hundreds of Chinese enterprises that operate in Angola have established a close connection between China and Angola, turning the two countries into a community of interests.

The two sides also have high-level cooperation. In particular, a special committee guiding China-Angola cooperation in trade and economy was set up and started working this year, providing a high-level mechanism to ensure bilateral cooperation.

I believe the state visit of Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos to China will give strong impetus to the future development of the China-Angola relationship.

I think the China-Angola friendship is also prospering among the people of the two countries, and personal ties are another reason for the fast development of bilateral ties, besides material interests.

Both countries are practitioners of the ideas of righteousness and benefits. China regards Angola as an important strategic partner in Africa and has firmly supported the country in keeping peace and stability, and exploring its own development pattern. This has won China respect and support from all walks of life in Angola.

In Africa, Angola is famous for treasuring friendship and good faith. The country has suffered a lot during its past development, which, however, left it with a spirit of fearlessness and the spirit of independence. Angola has always supported China's development and offered it strong support in international affairs.

Last year, the state television of Angola shot a documentary that tells the stories of China-Angola cooperation. The Chinese name of the documentary is gemen'er, which means buddy. I think this is an appropriate word to describe the bilateral relationship.

Currently, Angola is faced with increasing challenges in terms of development as it is affected by the decline in international oil prices. However, as opportunities are always born out of challenges, I think China and Angola could focus on production capacity cooperation in the new situation and establish a cooperative framework accordingly.

I believe that future China-Angola cooperation will bring rich achievements as long as the two sides work together with firm confidence.

(China Daily 06/13/2015 page6)