Beijing, 2 September (TDI): Chinese President Xi Jinping and Malian President Assimi Goita met in Beijing on Monday, where the two leaders agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership.
President Goita is in China to attend the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
During the meeting, President Xi expressed China’s commitment to strengthening traditional ties with Mali.
He pledged continued support for Mali’s economic development and improvement of living standards, and assured assistance within China’s capacity.
President Xi emphasized China’s readiness to encourage its enterprises to invest in Mali, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, energy, mineral development, and infrastructure.
He also underscored the importance of security guarantees and policy support from Mali for Chinese investments.
China’s Support for African Countries
President Xi reiterated China’s consistent support for the right of African countries to independently determine their futures.
He expressed China’s willingness to collaborate with Mali and other African nations in their pursuit of modernization that aligns with their national circumstances.
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President Goita, in response, expressed Mali’s intention to further deepen its strategic partnership with China.
He highlighted the areas of agriculture, energy, mining, and security as key fields for mutually beneficial cooperation.
He also commended China’s role in promoting peace and development at both regional and global levels and voiced support for stronger multilateral coordination with Beijing.
