President calls on leaders across regions to strengthen cooperation

Xi Jinping, president. (WANG ZHUANGFEI / CHINA DAILY)

President Xi Jinping reached out to the leaders of various countries, extending China’s hand in the global fight against COVID-19.

In a series of exchanges, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, called for strengthening cooperation with nations in Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Xi, through letters exchanging views on disease prevention and cooperation with Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, said China would like to continue to cooperate with Argentina on fighting COVID-19 and offer assistance to the South American nation within its capacity, according to a statement released on July 7.

The people of China and Argentina have supported each other in the fight against the pandemic, which reflects the deep friendship between the people of the two countries, Xi said.

China firmly supports Argentina’s efforts to safeguard national stability and promote development, he said, adding that China would like to deepen bilateral exchanges and strengthen cooperation in all areas.

Fernandez said he appreciated the great efforts made by the Chinese government and people in fighting against COVID-19. He hailed the leading role that China has played in the global fight against the disease, saying that Argentina is thankful for China’s help.

Xi on July 7 congratulated Luis Rodolfo Abinader on winning the presidency of the Dominican Republic and pledged to work with him in promoting the greater development of bilateral ties.

In his message to Abinader, Xi said that with the joint efforts of both sides, the relationship between China and the Dominican Republic has developed rapidly with the strengthening of mutual political trust and all-round practical cooperation achieving fruitful results since the two countries established diplomatic ties.

China has provided anti-epidemic materials to and shared treatment experience with the Dominican Republic since COVID-19 broke out in the country.

Xi, in a congratulatory exchange on July 5 with his Ghanaian counterpart, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Ghana diplomatic relations, said that China will deepen cooperation with Ghana in various fields under the joint construction of the Belt and Road and within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Over the past six decades, the traditional friendship between China and Ghana has grown stronger with practical cooperation yielding fruitful results, Xi said.

Bilateral relations have shown a good momentum for all-round development in recent years, bringing tangible benefits to both peoples, he added.

The president noted that China and African countries, including Ghana, have stood by each other in the joint fight against COVID-19, which has demonstrated their brotherly friendship.

In his message, Akufo-Addo said that Xi has shown extraordinary leadership in response to the pandemic, and China has won worldwide acclaim for its anti-epidemic assistance and support to countries around the world, including Ghana.

Xi also exchanged messages with Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, chairman of the ruling Mongolian People’s Party and prime minister of Mongolia, according to a news release published on July 4.

Xi said that the CPC is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the MPP to lead the China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership to greater development and contribute to regional peace and prosperity.

Recalling that Khurelsukh sent a message to him recently on the occasion of the 99th founding anniversary of the CPC, Xi said it fully demonstrated the great importance Khurelsukh and the MPP attach to relations between the two parties and countries.

In a letter to Xi, Khurelsukh said that China’s fight against COVID-19 has not only safeguarded the health of the Chinese people, but also made great contributions to protecting the health of people around the world, which he deeply admires.

Xi, in a message to Samdech Techo Hun Sen, president of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party and prime minister of Cambodia, on July 3 hailed the China-Cambodia community with a shared future as unbreakable as the nations have supported and closely coordinated with each other while making concerted efforts to fight COVID-19.

Xi said that he is glad to see that Cambodia, under the strong leadership of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and the Cambodian government headed by Hun Sen, has made remarkable achievements in various areas.

China firmly supports Cambodia in following a path of development that suits its own national conditions, he said.

In his earlier message to Xi, Hun Sen lauded the achievements China has made in development, thanks to the long-term endeavor of the CPC in following the right path of development, and especially Xi’s wise leadership.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn