Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China''s National People''s Congress (NPC), joined visiting Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou-Nguesso at a reception to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Congo in Beijing, June 13, 2014. Zhang and Sassou-Nguesso addressed the event, which was conducted by Li Xiaolin, President of reception host-the Chinese People''s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.
Zhang mentioned in his speech, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of the Congo formally established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level in 1964. In this half-century, people of the two countries are as close as brothers and forged a sincere friendship. The bilateral relations between two countries become the model of South - South cooperation due to its healthy and steady development.
Zhang pointed out that, over the past 50 years, the two countries stick through thick and thin, seek common development and sincere cooperation and foster a friendly and lasting friendship. Reviewing the history of friendly relations between China and Congo, it is found that China and Congo have always firmly supported each other on their major interests, sought common development in mutually beneficial cooperation, and helped each other in difficulties, all of which is a true portrayal of our traditional friendship. We must cherish from generation to generation to carry forward.
Zhang also said that, today Chinese people are committed to realizing the Chinese dream of the nations’ great rejuvenation while Africans are working to achieve the African dream of unity, development and revitalization and the Congolese are forging ahead in unity to realize the Congolese dream of a democratic and prosperous nation. Zhang said the Chinese dream shares broad common with the African dream and the Congolese dream, adding that both China and Congo are working on opportunities and national rejuvenation. China''s development will bring about ever-greater space of cooperation for Africa and all other countries in the world and the development of the Republic of Congo and Africa will provide a bigger arena for China to carry out cooperation between the two sides.
Zhang reiterated China''s commitment to developing relations with Africa with “sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith”. Over the past five decades, the two countries have developed a vigorous, win-win partnership that has born rich fruits. He said the past 50 years marked a half-century of true friendship, solidarity and commitment. He said the Republic of Congo would continue to expand friendly cooperation with China and make joint efforts to realize freedom, dignity and development. Zhang said China is ready to implement the consensus that the two heads of state reached during Chinese President Xi Jinping''s visit to the Republic of Congo in March 2013. According to Zhang, China will further enhance mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and deepen fraternal friendship with the Republic of Congo, to promote the comprehensive cooperative partnership featuring solidarity and mutual assistance.
Sassou-Nguesso said over the past five decades, the two countries have developed a vigorous, win-win partnership that has born rich fruits. The past 50 years marked a half-century of true friendship, solidarity and commitment. He said that under the leadership of The Communist Party, China has achieved the quick development of economy and maintained a stable environment in terms of politic and society. And the Republic of Congo will continue to expand friendly cooperation with China and make joint efforts to realize freedom, dignity and development.
Totally 170 guests attended the reception, including former Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and President of the Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association(CAPFA) Abdul’ahat Abdurixit, Director of Foreign Affairs Committee of NPC Fu Ying, Director of Agriculture and Village Committee of NPC Chen Jianguo, Deputy Secretary-General and Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs Committee of NPC Cao Weizhou, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Ming, Vice Minister of Education Liu Limin, Vice Minister of Commerce Li Jinzao, Vice Minister of Culture Yang Zhijin, Vice President of the CPAFFC and CAPFA Feng Zuoku, Ambassador of China to Congo Guan Jian, the visiting Congolese delegation and the Congolese mission to China.
During the reception, students of the China-Congo Friendship Primary School from Yushu, Qinghai Province performed unique Tibetan dance.
