President Xi Jinping met Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki during the FOCAC summit, reaffirming strong bilateral ties founded on mutual trust and support. Both leaders discussed enhancing cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and agriculture, aiming to protect the rights of developing nations while contributing to a more equitable international order. The assembly is set to yield bilateral cooperation agreements across several sectors.
On September 2, 2024, President Xi Jinping welcomed Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Both leaders affirmed their strong mutual trust and support, underlining the significant progress made during President Afwerki’s prior visit to China in May of the previous year. China commended Eritrea for its independent foreign policy and commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty while expressing its readiness to enhance political mutual trust and practical cooperation for mutual development.
Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of cultivating a close partnership with Eritrea, focusing on strengthening exchanges and sharing governance experiences. He proposed leveraging initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, FOCAC, and the “Initiative of Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa” to enhance cooperation in vital sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and agriculture. The leaders also discussed coordinating efforts on international and regional issues to protect the legitimate rights of developing nations and contribute to creating a more equitable global order.
Reflecting on his historical visit to China 57 years prior, Isaias Afwerki acknowledged China’s remarkable development and role as a leader in global governance reform. He noted that the Eritrea-China relationship, built on a foundation of friendship and cooperation, notably assists African nations in achieving development and resisting colonialism and hegemonism. President Afwerki expressed Eritrea’s commitment to the one-China policy and the desire to expand cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and maritime affairs, emphasizing the importance of Africa-China cooperation for African development.
During the summit, plans were announced for the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents in agriculture, radio, television, and other sectors, indicating a continued commitment to mutual growth and development.
The meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping and Isaias Afwerki highlights the enduring partnership between China and Eritrea, focusing on mutual trust and cooperation across various sectors. Both leaders expressed a commitment to deepening their relationship and promoting development initiatives. The discussions at the FOCAC summit emphasized the importance of Africa-China cooperation in enhancing regional stability and development, with concrete agreements expected to emerge from the summit activities.
Original Source: www.fmprc.gov.cn
