Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged China’s support for Libya in ensuring stability and achieving development. Xi made the commitment during a meeting with Libyan Presidential Council Chairman Mohammad Al-Manfi in Beijing on Wednesday.
Al-Manfi is attending the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), a three-day summit that began on the same day. During the meeting, Xi expressed China’s desire for stronger bilateral ties with Libya, emphasizing a commitment to steady and sustained growth in their relationship.
China and Libya have maintained diplomatic relations for 46 years, a partnership characterized by mutual support and sincerity, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.
The FOCAC summit has attracted leaders and representatives from 53 African nations to Beijing. The event, established in 2000, serves as a platform for China and African countries to enhance cooperation.
In addition to his meeting with Al-Manfi, Xi also held talks with other African leaders. He described China-Ethiopia relations as a “shining” example of China-Africa friendship, highlighting the continued deepening of cooperation between the two nations.
Xi met with Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema, marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between China and Zambia. He also met with Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, noting that Tanzania was where he first outlined China’s Africa policy in 2013.
Xi’s engagements included discussions with the leaders of Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Cameroon. The summit has gathered hundreds of officials, business leaders, and policymakers from China and Africa.
At a welcome banquet for African leaders, Xi emphasized the strong foundation and bright future of the China-Africa community. He highlighted the shared history of fighting against imperialism and the ongoing pursuit of modernization.
The summit will conclude with the adoption of two key documents aimed at enhancing China-Africa cooperation over the next three years.