Xi pledges to help Republic of Congo

Measures include support for a special economic zone and cooperation in agriculture and aviation

China has offered to help accelerate the industrialization of the Republic of Congo to diversify its economy and reduce its heavy reliance on oil.

President Xi Jinping met with Denis Sassou Nguesso, president of the Central African nation, on July 5 in Beijing and said his country will support the development of a special economic zone in Pointe Noir to speed up bilateral industrial cooperation.

He said China is willing to expand its partnership with the Republic of Congo in agriculture and aviation, while exchanges in culture, education, youth and the media are also welcome.

During the talks, the countries upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and Xi stressed the need to enhance mutual trust through exchanges between governments, ruling parties and legislative bodies.

The Chinese president said his country is prepared to communicate and coordinate with the Republic of Congo on peace and security in Africa, climate change and other major international and regional affairs.

Sassou Nguesso congratulated Xi on the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, of which Xi is also general secretary, and hailed the nations' cooperation in infrastructure, hydropower and healthcare.

Applauding China's positive role in Africa, Sassou Nguesso said the Republic of Congo is ready to upgrade ties to promote bilateral collaboration and China-Africa cooperation.

The Congolese leader also said his country looks forward to more partnership with China in terms of SEZs, industrial production capacity, and trade and culture, and he welcomed further Chinese investment.

Sassou Nguesso added that the Republic of Congo backs China's stance on the South China Sea and will work closely with China on international affairs.

China's top legislator, Zhang Dejiang, also met with the Congolese leader on July 5.

Zhang, who is chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said the NPC is ready to strengthen friendly ties with the Republic of Congo's Parliament to provide legal guarantees for trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.

Xinhua

(China Daily Africa Weekly 07/08/2016 page3)