President Adama Barrow emphasized Africa's confidence in the People's Republic of China's commitment to supporting the continent's strategic development during a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Chinese CPC Central Committee and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. The meeting took place at FOCAC 2024.
President Barrow praised President Xi Jinping's ten-point Action Plan announced at the 4th FOCAC Summit in Beijing, highlighting its positive impact on Gambian lives. He affirmed his government's dedication to partnerships with China based on mutual benefit and adherence to the One China policy.
H.E. Cai Qi reiterated China's readiness to collaborate with The Gambia on FOCAC's three-year Action Points (2025-2027) and commended The Gambia for its support of China's One China Policy. He lauded the bilateral relationship and The Gambia's backing of global initiatives promoting development and justice. Cai Qi urged President Barrow, as Chairman of the OIC, to enhance cooperation on international peace and justice. He also pledged support for The Gambia’s development agenda in agriculture, health, and infrastructure under FOCAC's ten-point Action Plan during a banquet honoring President Barrow.
The bilateral meeting built on remarks from President Xi Jinping, Co-Chair of FOCAC 2024 President Diomayi Faye of Senegal, and other speakers who highlighted the robust China-Africa partnership. President Xi noted that this partnership has reached a strategic level in modernisation, advocating for collaboration that respects national realities and ensures equal rights.
The Strategic Partnership between China and Africa for the next three years will focus on inclusive industrialization, agriculture, trade, capacity building to reduce poverty, and cultural exchanges. The $50 billion three-year FOCAC Action Plan will also prioritize green development in modernization, narrowing the energy gap, peace and security.
At a High-Level Meeting on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), established in 2023, President Barrow expressed gratitude to President Xi Jinping while sharing The Gambia’s experience with BRI projects such as road and bridge construction aimed at socio-economic development.
The BRI High-Level meeting was co-chaired by H.E Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, alongside H.E William Ruto, President of Kenya. It provided leaders an opportunity to discuss how BRI fosters win-win relations between China and Africa through infrastructure development.
President Barrow is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping for a bilateral session on Thursday, September 5th, 2024.
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