Somalia National Army soldiers ride on an armoured personnel carrier during celebrations on their 62nd anniversary in Mogadishu on April 12, 2022. (HASAN ALI ELMI / AFP)

RIYADH - Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh on Friday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

China is ready to provide assistance to the best of its ability for Somalia's reconstruction and social and economic development, and encourages the two countries' enterprises to explore cooperation in areas including agriculture, fishery and health, Xi said.

China supports the Somali government in enhancing its ability to maintain stability and fight against terrorism, Xi said

China supports the Somali government in enhancing its ability to maintain stability and fight against terrorism, he added.

The Chinese side always supports Somalia in safeguarding its sovereignty, dignity and territorial integrity, has provided long-term support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and actively encouraged the international community to support and help Somalia, Xi said.

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China, Xi also said, is ready to work with Somalia to maintain political mutual trust, understand and support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, push bilateral ties to new levels and jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

For his part, Mohamud noted that bilateral relations enjoy a long history, saying that since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1960, China-Somalia relations have always been based on mutual understanding and mutual respect.

The Chinese side has helped Somalia build its longest highway, hospitals and other important facilities for people's daily lives, he said, adding that his country hopes for continued support from China for safeguarding national security and rebuilding the national economy.

Somalia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and remains an important strategic partner of China, he said, adding that his country will continue to stand firmly with China and support China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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Mohamud also said that Somalia looks forward to joining China in keeping pushing bilateral ties further forward.

On bilateral ties with Djibouti, Xi said that China is willing to closely coordinate with Djibouti to uphold the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice, and contribute to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.

Xi pointed out that strategic mutual trust between China and Djibouti has been deepened in recent years, cooperation in various fields has made fruitful achievements, and bilateral friendship has been deeply rooted in people's hearts

Xi pointed out that strategic mutual trust between China and Djibouti has been deepened in recent years, cooperation in various fields has made fruitful achievements, and bilateral friendship has been deeply rooted in people's hearts.

Extending gratitude for Djibouti's valuable support to China on issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang, Xi said China will continue to support Djibouti in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and stability, as well as its efforts in independently exploring a development path suited to its national conditions.

China is ready to work with the Djiboutian side to lift China-Djibouti strategic partnership to new heights, Xi added.

The Chinese president stressed that China is ready to expand exchanges and cooperation with Djibouti in various fields including government, legislature, political parties, military and at the local level, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning on national governance and development experience, and facilitate synergy of their development strategies.

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Xi said China supports Djibouti in advancing its development plan of Vision Djibouti 2035, deepening cooperation in such areas as ports and investment, and jointly maintaining and operating flagship cooperation projects including the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, so as to help Djibouti build a regional logistics hub.

China will continue to help Djibouti improve people's livelihood, cooperate to cope with extreme climate and ensure food security.

Saying Djibouti and China are friends, brothers and strategic partners committed to win-win cooperation, Guelleh said it is a pleasure to meet President Xi on the sidelines of the summit between Arab states and China, and extended his congratulations on Xi's re-election as general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Guelleh thanked China for providing valuable assistance to Djibouti's economic and social development, saying his country would like to further consolidate the strategic partnership with China and continue to push forward the construction of important infrastructure projects.

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Djibouti will continue to support China's legitimate position on issues concerning China's core interests.