China and DRC strengthen relations to comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership
The Presidents of China, Xi Jinping and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo announced on Friday 26 May 2023 in Beijing, the elevation of the bilateral relationship from a strategic partnership of win-win cooperation to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
The two countries, The People's Republic of China (PRC) and The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) agreed to expand cooperation to various areas of mutual interest such as education, scientific research, infrastructure construction, agriculture, energy, defense, according to a joint statement issued by the two countries.
Both sides agreed to strengthen support on issues concerning each other's core interests. China reiterated its firm support for the DRC's smooth advancement of its major domestic political agenda, and its firm opposition to external interference in the DRC's internal affairs.
Both countries also agreed to revitalize the China-DRC joint committee of economy and trade mechanism to promote investment cooperation.
China is ready to encourage more enterprises to invest in the DRC, participate in infrastructure construction in accordance with the DRC's relevant plans, and contribute to the industrialization of the DRC and the diversified development of its economy, according to the statement.
China will help the DRC implement its digital transformation plan, continue to expand cooperation in investment and financing, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture, processing and manufacturing, as well as natural resources exploration, development and local processing, and support the DRC in achieving autonomous and sustainable development, the statement said.
The DRC vowed to further improve its business environment, provide good conditions for Chinese enterprises to operate in the DRC, and effectively protect their legitimate rights and interests. Both sides also agreed to enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and promote tourism.
President Xi Jinping expressed his solidarity with the people affected by the floods in Kalehe in eastern DRC and promised humanitarian aid of 1 million US dollars to assist the victims of this disaster.
A total of 5 cooperation agreements have been signed: 1. Resource Investment and Ecological Cooperation, 2. Memorandum of Understanding on Information and Communication Exchange and Cooperation, 3. Trade and Cooperation in Digital Economy, 4. Financing and promotion of ecological development, 5. Cooperation between the Congolese National Radio Television and the Chinese National Channel.
President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix-AntoineTshisekedi Tshilombo arrived in China for an official visit on Wednesday. During his visit, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo paid tribute the struggle of the chinese past generation who fought for China by dropping a flower this Friday morning in front of the Chinese National Heroes Monument located near Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
By this act, The Congolese President, paid tribute to those who paid with their lives for the rebirth of a new China, the Head of State laid a wreath of flowers at the foot of the said monument, with the mention: "A deep memory to the heroes of the Chinese people" .
Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi had a working session this Friday with the Office of the People's Assembly of China (Chinese Parliament) chaired by Mr. Zhao Leji.
In his speech, The Congolese Head of State noted the importance of strengthening the historic partnership between the DRC and China. He also recalled the important role that China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, can play in bringing peace to the DRC.
It should be noted that previously, on May 22, 2023, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Beijing. Qin Gang said that the DRC is China’s good friend and good brother, and the two sides enjoy a time-honored friendship. China warmly welcomes President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo’s upcoming state visit to China, and looks forward to the two heads of state making top-level plans and setting strategic directions for the development of China-DRC relations in the next stage.
Qin Gang pointed out that both China and the DRC are major developing countries, with strong economic complementarity and broad prospects for cooperation. China has been the largest trading partner and source of investment for the DRC for consecutive years, and will continue to work with the DRC to proceed from the present while bearing in mind the future to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, implement various common understandings within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, steer clear of disruptions to advance win-win cooperation between the two countries, and turn the DRC’s resource strengths into a driving force for development. China hopes that the DRC will create a sound business environment for Chinese companies investing and doing business in the DRC, and ensure their security.
Qin Gang said that firmly supporting each other’s core interests is a valuable takeaway from the 50-plus years of the smooth development of the China-DRC relationship since its normalization. It is also the core elements of the China-DRC strategic partnership. China is ready to work with the DRC to strengthen solidarity and cooperation at the UN and other multilateral settings, resolutely uphold the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and make the international order and global governance more equitable and reasonable.
Lutundula said that over the 50-plus years since the normalization of the DRC-China relationship, bilateral relations have withstood the test of time and grown from strength to strength. He thanked China for its important assistance and valuable support for the DRC’s economic and social development over the years, and reaffirmed the DRC’s commitment to the one-China policy. Noting that President Tshisekedi is set to make a historic first visit to China, Lutundula said the DRC will wholeheartedly promote practical cooperation with China in various fields, and stands ready to work with China to enhance communication and coordination, develop bilateral relations based on constructive visions, and deliver more benefits to the two countries and peoples.
Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor
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