During a series of talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting African leaders, China signed a cooperation agreement with Mauritania and committed to enhancing collaboration with Burundi on Friday.
According to state media, Xi Jinping stated in the southwestern city of Chengdu that “Developing solidarity and cooperation with African countries is an important cornerstone of China’s foreign policy.”
After easing its strict COVID restrictions in late last year, China has intensified its involvement with Africa, inviting heads of state or senior officials from Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Gabon, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe for visits in the past six months.
During a bilateral meeting with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani in Chengdu, Xi Jinping expressed his gratitude to Mauritania for consistently standing firmly with China on matters concerning China’s core interests.
According to China’s state planner, China and Mauritania inked a cooperation plan for the Belt and Road Initiative, encompassing areas such as infrastructure, trade, financial cooperation, agriculture, water conservancy, and people-to-people exchanges.
During a separate meeting with Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye in Chengdu, Xi expressed China’s willingness to enhance communication and cooperation with Burundi on significant international matters, particularly hot-spot issues in Africa.