Wang Yi holds talks with Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara

On January 5, 2019 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara in Banjul.

Wang Yi said he was glad to visit Gambia for the first time. Since the resumption of China-Gambia diplomatic relations more than two years ago, bilateral relations have made rapid progress in various fields, with the full resumption of exchanges between the political parties, the governments, the armed forces, social groups as well as the legislative institutes, and remarkable results in important infrastructure projects, enabling the friendship between the two countries to take deeper root in the hearts of the two peoples. Facts have proved that resuming bilateral diplomatic relations fully conforms with the fundamental interests of Gambia and its people, the political consensus of the international community on adhering to the one-China principle and the common aspiration for unity and cooperation by the Chinese and African people. The Gambian side has repeatedly expressed its firm adherence to the one-China policy, which will lay a solid political foundation for the comprehensive and sound development of bilateral relations and open up an even broader future. The two sides should continuously enhance mutual trust and firmly support each other on issues concerning respective core interests. This year marks the first year for the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The two sides should strengthen integration, actively implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, systematically integrate the eight major initiatives jointly implemented by China and Africa with the development plan of Gambia, identify the priority directions and areas of future cooperation, and push forward mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas for constant and new progress.

Wang Yi stressed that China-Africa cooperation is essentially South-South cooperation and mutual assistance between brothers. The realization of common development and prosperity for China and African countries will make the world more equal and peaceful. The Chinese side is ready to provide Gambia and other African countries with support and assistance for their economic and social development within its capacity according to the actual conditions and development needs of the African side.

Mamadou Tangara warmly welcomed Wang Yi's visit, saying that China is a brother of Gambia. The Gambian side thanks the Chinese side for actively supporting building the new Gambia, and providing valuable help for the economic development and improvement of people's livelihood of Gambia, and hopes to usher in a closer and friendlier future for the two countries through this visit. Gambia firmly abides by the one-China policy and will firmly support the People's Republic of China on all international occasions, firmly support the just position on issues concerning the Chinese side's core interests and push further development of bilateral relations in the right direction. The Gambian side is ready to strengthen exchanges at all levels with the Chinese side, enhance political mutual trust, expand economic cooperation and promote cooperation in energy, technology and other fields. The Gambian side is full of expectation and confidence in the prospects of bilateral relations and is willing to work closely with the Chinese side to turn the beautiful vision of bilateral relations into reality.

Mamadou Tangara said that the eight major initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping at the FOCAC Beijing Summit last year reflect the concept of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith and the values of friendship, justice and shared interests advocated by the Chinese side. It shows that the Chinese side takes seriously the concerns of African countries and actively supports African countries in enhancing their capacity for independent development. The high attendance rate of the FOCAC Beijing Summit fully demonstrates the trust of African countries in China and the confidence in Africa-China relations. The Gambian side shares the same view with the Chinese side, and we know who our true friends are and will not allow anyone to turn Africa into an arena. At a time when the world is facing the impact of unilateralism, China is the only hope to safeguard the multilateral system and the interests of developing countries. The Gambian side hopes to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Chinese side in international affairs.