Premier Li Keqiang met Guinea Bissau Prime Minister Baciro Dja in Macau yesterday, saying China is willing to enhance practical co-operation with the west African country.
China and Guinea Bissau have always respected each other and treated each other on an equal footing, Li told Dja, who is in Macau for the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries this morning.
“China respects the choice of the people of Guinea Bissau for a development path that suits its own national conditions, and is ready to maintain high-level exchanges, consolidate political mutual trust and increase practical co-operation with the country,” Li said.
China hopes Guinea Bissau can promote practical co-operation with China as well as the west African region, through making the most of its role as a Portuguese-speaking country, Li said.
Hailing the two countries as sincere friends, Dja thanked China for its long-term valuable support and aid for the country’s national independence and economic and social development, saying China’s assistance does not come with political strings attached.
Dja expressed optimism for co-operation with China, saying his country is willing to enhance high-level exchanges and co-ordinate closely with China in international affairs to boost bilateral relations and the relationship between China and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Portuguese-speaking countries and Africa.
– Xinhua
Premier Li Keqiang (right) shakes hands with Guinea Bissau Prime Minister Baciro Dja during a meeting at the Macau Dome in Cotai yesterday. – Xinhua
