Xi, Mozambique's president discuss Mideast conflict, Africa's development

China is ready to work with Africa to address the challenges arising from the current Middle East situation and jointly promote peace and seek development, as the impact of the regional conflict spills over into African countries, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.

Xi made the remarks during talks with visiting Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo in Beijing. He called on both sides to uphold the principles for peace, maintain the resolve for development and promote win-win cooperation.

Xi said that China and African countries should work together to call for a ceasefire and an end to the hostilities, and for resolving differences through dialogue on an equal footing.

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Both sides should urge the international community to practice true multilateralism and uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and the basic norms governing international relations, he added.

Xi underlined the need to remain focused on development, saying that in the process of continuously expanding high-standard opening-up, China has always given priority to Africa.

Starting on May 1, China will fully implement zero tariffs on imports from 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties, further expanding market access for African products through upgrades such as the "green channel", he said.

Xi emphasized that the nation is willing to respond to the calls of African countries to tap potential for partnership and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation to assist in their development, jointly building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

During their talks, the two presidents agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a China-Mozambique community with a shared future in the new era.

Xi said that friendship and mutual trust are prominent features and political advantages of China-Mozambique relations. Both sides should uphold the fine traditions and continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, he said.

Noting that the two countries have strong economic complementarities and broad prospects for cooperation, Xi expressed China's willingness to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Mozambique, innovate cooperation models, and explore new paths for comprehensive cooperation in infrastructure, energy and mineral development.

He called for cultivating new growth drivers in agriculture, new energy, the digital economy and artificial intelligence to promote high-quality and sustainable development of pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.

Xi emphasized that both countries should continue to enhance coordination and cooperation within the UN and other institutions, work in solidarity to advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and jointly defend international fairness and justice.

Chapo is on a weeklong state visit to China that started on Thursday. Beijing is the final leg of the visit, which also took him to Hunan and Qinghai provinces.

Chapo expressed his pleasure at being the first African leader to make a state visit to China this year, highlighting the friendship and brotherly ties between the two countries.

He called China a true friend to Mozambique, saying that China always provides selfless support and assistance to his country.

Noting that Mozambique attaches great importance to its relations with China, Chapo said his country unconditionally adheres to the one-China principle and supports China's reunification efforts.

Mozambique is willing to enhance unity and friendship with China based on mutual respect and mutual trust, strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, agriculture and energy, and jointly open a new chapter in building a Mozambique-China community with a shared future in the new era, he said.

Chapo expressed appreciation to China for its assistance to African countries, saying that the implementation of the outcomes achieved at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and China's zero-tariff policy will provide African nations with significant support for their economic and social development.

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The vision of a community with a shared future for humanity that President Xi proposed, as well as the four major global initiatives and the Belt and Road Initiative, have made important contributions to promoting world peace, stability and development, he said, adding that Mozambique is willing to work with China to implement these initiatives and make the world a better place.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of over 20 cooperation documents in various fields, including the Belt and Road Initiative, implementation of the Global Security Initiative, economic and trade cooperation, healthcare and media.

The two sides also issued a joint statement on building a China-Mozambique community with a shared future in the new era.

Contact the writers at caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn