On the evening of September 6, 2024, President Xi Jinping met with President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who is in China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two heads of state announced the elevation of the relations between China and the Central African Republic to a strategic partnership.
Xi Jinping pointed out that although China and the Central African Republic are separated by oceans, the two countries have always stood side by side and shared the same aspirations. China appreciates the Central African Republic's long-term and firm support on issues concerning China's core interests and will continue to support the Central African Republic's efforts to safeguard national independence, security and stability. He welcomed the Central African Republic to make good use of the new measures he announced at the FOCAC Beijing Summit to deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation, promote the integrated development of infrastructure construction and industries, continuously upgrade bilateral cooperation in various fields, and make the strategic partnership between the two countries a model for China's relations with Africa and other Global South countries.
Xi Jinping stressed that the ultimate goal of Chinese modernization is to ensure a better life for the people, which is also the basis and objective of China's efforts to advance modernization in partnership with African countries. China is willing to strengthen exchanges with the Central African Republic on state governance to create a better and happier life for the people of both countries. He expressed the hope that the Central African Republic will provide a safer business environment for Chinese enterprises.
Faustin-Archange Touadéra expressed his delight in attending the FOCAC Beijing Summit. In addition to Beijing, he also visited Shandong, Chongqing and Tianjin, where he witnessed the achievements of Chinese modernization. These are all practical results of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and he is willing to continue learning from China's successful ideas and experience. He extended congratulations on the successful convening of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and believes that China's further deepening of reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization will provide more development opportunities for Africa. The Central African Republic firmly abides by the one-China principle, and holds that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. China's foreign policy is conducive to promoting world peace and development. The Central African Republic highly appreciates China's leading role in international affairs and is willing to enhance multilateral coordination with China. Faustin-Archange Touadéra thanked President Xi Jinping for announcing new measures for cooperation with Africa at the FOCAC Beijing Summit. He expressed the hope to work with the Chinese side to actively implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit, advance the Belt and Road cooperation, and deepen cooperation in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, minerals, energy, digital economy and capacity building, to lift bilateral relations to new heights.
During the Summit, the two sides signed several bilateral cooperation documents in areas such as the Belt and Road cooperation plan and news media.
Wang Yi was present at the meeting.
