Xi meets Eritrean president

Xi Jinping holds talks with Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 15 – On the afternoon of May 15, President Xi Jinping held talks with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, who was on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Eritrea enjoyed a profound traditional friendship. On May 24 this year, the two countries will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Over the past 30 years, China and Eritrea have always trusted and supported each other. China views and develops China-Eritrea relations from a strategic and long-term perspective and is a reliable friend of Eritrea. Facing the current international situation full of instability and uncertainty, developing China-Eritrea relations is not only in line with the common and long-term interests of the two countries, but also of great significance to maintaining regional peace and international fairness and justice. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Eritrean side to deepen the close and friendly relations between the friends of the two countries and comrades, and to promote the China-Ereitrea strategic partnership to a new level.

Xi Jinping emphasized that China appreciates Eritrea's long-term adherence to an independent foreign policy, firmly supports Eritrea in exploring a development path that suits its national conditions, firmly supports Eritrea in safeguarding its own sovereignty, security, and development interests, and opposes external interference in Eritrea's internal affairs and imposition of unilateral sanctions. China is willing to exchange experience with Ecuador on state governance, continue to support each other, jointly oppose unilateralism and bullying, and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and the vast number of developing countries. China is willing to, together with Ecuador, make use of frameworks and platforms such as the joint construction of the "Belt and Road", the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the "Concept for Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa" to promote mutually beneficial cooperation and achieve common development. China encourages and supports Chinese-funded enterprises to invest in Ecuador and is willing to discuss with Ecuador the strengthening of cooperation in infrastructure construction, telecommunications, agriculture, mining, fishery and other fields, and continue to implement projects such as medical teams and senior agricultural experts to Ecuador. Thanks to the Ecuadorian side for providing support and assistance for China's recent evacuation and transfer of Chinese citizens in Sudan, which once again demonstrates the profound friendship between China and Ecuador who share weal and woe and help each other. The two sides should take more measures to intensify people-to-people and cultural exchanges and the feelings of the people.

Xi Jinping pointed out that no matter how the situation develops, mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual support, and mutual assistance have always been the background and main line of China-Africa friendship. China-Africa cooperation plays an important leading role in South-South cooperation and international cooperation with Africa. Africa is a land of great promise. Under the new situation, more than ever, China and Africa need to strengthen solidarity and cooperation to overcome difficulties together. China is willing to work with Africa to carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate strategic mutual trust, provide Africa with new opportunities with China's high-quality development and Chinese-style modernization, promote China-Africa practical cooperation in depth and solidity, achieve more new results, and promote closer construction China-Africa community with a shared future.

Isaias fondly recalled his special relationship with China for more than half a century, and said that the Eritrean people will never forget the precious spiritual and material support provided by the Chinese people for Eritrea's independence and liberation. China is a great country. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, it has risen from a poor country to a world power, and has made outstanding contributions to the peace and development of mankind. China has always occupied the moral high ground, proposing Chinese solutions to the challenges facing the world, upholding fairness and justice in the international arena, and inspiring those developing countries that seek independence and development. Any attempt to contain and suppress China's development is bound to fail. The current evolution of the international order is at a critical stage, and African countries are still facing hegemonism and various unfair and unfair treatments. The international community expects and believes that China will make greater contributions to human development and progress and international fairness and justice. The Ecuadorian side hopes to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese side, and believes that the Ecuador-China strategic partnership will help Ecuador achieve national economic and social development.

Before the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcoming ceremony for Isaias at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People.

When Isaias arrived, the soldiers of honor lined up to pay their respects. The two heads of state stepped onto the reviewing stand, the military band played the national anthems of China and Ecuador, and a 21-gun salute was fired at Tiananmen Square. Accompanied by Xi Jinping, Isaias inspected the guard of honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and watched the parade.

That night, Xi Jinping held a welcome banquet for Isaias in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wang Yi, Qin Gang and others participated in the above activities.