Editor's note: President Xi Jinping held a series of bilateral meetings in Beijing on Thursday on the sidelines of the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. The following are the highlights of the talks.
Cooperation with Laos bears fruit
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, hailed the productive cooperation between China and Laos in various fields, saying the fruitful achievements demonstrate the strategic significance and exemplary role of the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future.
Xi made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing on Thursday with Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao president.
Xi said that given the complex and profound changes in the international and regional landscape, the two sides need to view and approach China-Laos relations from a long-term and strategic perspective, and firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns.
China is ready to deepen exchanges with Laos on experience in party and state governance, he said.
The two sides need to focus on the operation of the China-Laos Railway and development along the route to upgrade key projects, Xi said, adding that they should also deepen cooperation on defense, law enforcement and security, and consistently impose a high-pressure crackdown on the crimes of cross-border gambling, cyber scams and telecom fraud.
Xi congratulated Laos on becoming a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and said that China is willing to deepen coordination and cooperation with Laos within regional mechanisms.
Thongloun said that Laos is ready to continue working with China to implement the new five-year action plan on building a Laos-China community with a shared future.
Fruitful results seen in relations with Cuba
China and Cuba issued a joint statement on Thursday on accelerating the building of a community with a shared future as Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, met with Miguel Diaz-Canel, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and Cuban president, in Beijing.
The two countries also signed multiple bilateral cooperation documents in areas such as the joint construction of the Belt and Road, implementation of the Global Security Initiative, subnational cooperation on agriculture, and artificial intelligence.
During the meeting, Xi said the steady progress and fruitful achievements in the building of a China-Cuba community with a shared future have become a hallmark of the two countries' ironclad friendship. He called on both sides to strengthen high-level exchanges, support each other firmly and systematically promote development cooperation.
China will continue to firmly support Cuba's just struggle against interference and blockade, Xi said.
Diaz-Canel acknowledged China's crucial contribution to the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, and reaffirmed Cuba's commitment to the one-China principle.
He voiced Cuba's eagerness to enhance all-around cooperation with China, particularly in the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road, and to create a better business environment for Chinese enterprises.
He also expressed full support for the Global Governance Initiative proposed by Xi, pledging to work toward a more just international governance system and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.
Zimbabwe embraces elevated ties
China and Zimbabwe have upgraded their relationship to an all-weather community with a shared future. This was announced by President Xi Jinping and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa when they met in Beijing on Thursday.
During the meeting, Xi said that the ever-deepening "five-star ironclad" friendship between the two countries has set an example for solidarity and cooperation between China and Africa, as well as among the Global South.
Xi reiterated China's unwavering support for Zimbabwe's independent development path, and its opposition to external interference and illegal sanctions, expressing the country's commitment to safeguarding the shared interests of both nations and the Global South.
He emphasized the need for both countries to seize the opportunity presented by the upgraded bilateral relationship to expand collaboration on infrastructure, mining, investment and trade.
He also expressed China's willingness to work with Zimbabwe to implement the outcomes of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing.
Both countries should advance the implementation of the Global Governance Initiative, promote the development of the International Organization for Mediation and bolster Global South cooperation to promote a more just and equitable international order, Xi added.
Mnangagwa said that the international community should bear in mind China's significant contributions to the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and maintain a correct historical perspective on World War II.
He noted that the Zimbabwe-China relationship has become mature and resilient over its 45 years of history.
Republic of Congo to benefit from zero tariffs
President Xi Jinping and the Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso jointly announced upgrading bilateral ties to a high-level community with a shared future on Thursday.
Xi noted that the relationship between the two countries serves as an example of China-Africa friendship. He added that both sides should make full use of the political strength of friendship and mutual trust, adhere to win-win cooperation, take actions based on actual conditions, and explore new ways for cooperation.
The Republic of Congo was the first country to reach an early harvest arrangement with China under the agreement on economic partnership for shared development, Xi said.
He said the African country will soon benefit from China's zero-tariff treatment, opening a new chapter in bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
As a co-chair of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Republic of Congo has worked with China to actively implement outcomes of the Beijing Summit and achieved commendable results, Xi said.
Sassou Nguesso said that elevating relations to a high-level community with a shared future has created a new framework for common prosperity and development.
He said his country adheres to the one-China principle and looks forward to deepening cooperation with China in various fields.
The Republic of Congo speaks highly of China's decision to implement zero tariffs for African nations and is eager to seize this new opportunity, he said, adding that his country is willing to work with China to promote greater development of China-Africa cooperation and achieve greater progress.
Stronger partnership with Serbia pledged
President Xi Jinping called on Thursday for closer cooperation between China and Serbia in areas of multilateral interests, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding national interests, upholding international fairness and justice, and firmly defending the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.
Xi made the remarks while meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
China and Serbia made great sacrifices and important contributions toward the victory over fascism in the Asian and European battlefields of World War II respectively, Xi said.
Highlighting the current complex and volatile international landscape, Xi stressed that China and Serbia should promote a correct understanding of the history of World War II and safeguard the results of the anti-fascist victory.
Xi said that Serbia was the first European country to jointly build a community with a shared future in the new era with China, reflecting the special and high-level nature of bilateral relations. He added that as a staunch friend, China supports Serbia in upholding its national interests and social stability while pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions.
Xi also called for strengthened strategic alignment between the two countries, making full use of the free trade agreement and facilitation arrangements such as mutual visa exemption and direct flights.
Vucic expressed Serbia's full support for the Global Governance Initiative put forward by Xi, noting that its principles of adhering to sovereign equality and advocating a people-centered approach are of great significance to reforming and improving the global governance system.
Vietnam's socialist path supported
President Xi Jinping called on Thursday for China and Vietnam to jointly safeguard the outcomes of the victory in World War II, uphold international fairness and justice and stand firm on the right side of history.
Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong in Beijing. Xi noted that the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War fully demonstrates that justice will prevail.
Faced with the countercurrents of unilateralism and the law of the jungle, more and more countries have realized that compromise and concession lead to no way out, and only unity and self-strengthening hold the promise of hope, Xi said.
He called on both countries to strengthen strategic communication, and said that China supports Vietnam in pursuing the socialist path suited to its national conditions.
Xi said he has put forward the Global Governance Initiative to promote the global governance system to develop in a more just and equitable direction. China is willing to work along with Vietnam to safeguard the common interests of the Global South countries, he said.
Luong Cuong congratulated China on successfully hosting the events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit, saying that both significant events underscore China's international stature and influence.
He noted that relations with China are of strategic significance to Vietnam and constitute a top priority in the country's foreign policy. Faced with a world of changes and chaos, Vietnam will firmly develop its relations with China, he said.
Slovakia's friendly approach lauded
President Xi Jinping called on China and Slovakia to practice true multilateralism, promote the reform and improvement of the global governance system, and work together to contribute more to world peace and development.
Xi made the remarks on Thursday during his meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Beijing.
Both China and Slovakia made huge national sacrifices for, and major historical contributions to, the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, Xi said, adding that as the century-defining transformation is accelerating across the globe, the world needs unity and cooperation more than ever.
China highly appreciates Slovakia's adherence to a friendly approach toward China, and hopes to conduct closer high-level exchanges with Slovakia, Xi said.
He added that China also stands ready to strengthen exchanges of governance experience with Slovakia, and actively work with the nation to advance pragmatic cooperation in areas such as new energy, infrastructure and logistics.
Xi said he hopes Slovakia will continue to play a positive role in promoting the sound and steady development of relations between China and the European Union.
Fico said that China made great contributions to the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and to world peace, and that he feels honored to be invited to China to witness its commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).
Slovakia is ready to work with China to deepen sharing of governance experience and strengthen cooperation in various fields, Fico said, adding that he welcomes more Chinese companies to invest and do business in his country.
