Leaders express confidence in elevation of China-Eritrea relations

Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed to work with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to consolidate mutual support and strengthen all-around cooperation between the two countries so as to bring their strategic partnership to a new level.

Xi made the remarks as he exchanged congratulatory messages with his Eritrean counterpart on Wednesday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of bilateral relations.

In his message, Xi said the relationship between China and the African country has weathered the changing international landscape over the past years, with both countries remaining steadfast in their mutual support on issues related to each other's core interests and major concerns.

The Chinese president recalled Isaias' successful visit to China last week, saying that he and his counterpart had reached a lot of important consensuses after an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

Isaias praised the long-lasting friendship and growing relations between the two countries, saying that China has provided both moral and material support to Eritrea for its national independence over the years.

He also said he was happy to see the elevation of the Eritrea-China friendly cooperation to a higher level that covers cooperation and coordination in all fields and expressed confidence in the future of the strategic relationship between the two countries.

On May 24, 1993, China and Eritrea established diplomatic relations on the same day the African country formally achieved its independence. Since then, the two countries have always trusted and supported each other. Last year, bilateral trade reached $610 million with a year-on-year increase of 32.2 percent.

During a meeting on May 15 in Beijing, Xi and Isaias agreed to further promote win-win cooperation and common development amid an international landscape full of instability and uncertainty.

mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn