Wang Yi Meets with Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara

On March 23, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara in Islamabad on the sidelines of the 48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Wang Yi said that Gambia has adhered to the one-China principle and maintained the political foundation for bilateral relations since the two countries resumed diplomatic relations. China appreciates this. China and Gambia firmly support each other in the international arena, which demonstrates the high level of bilateral relations. The sustained, steady and sound development of China-Gambia relations fully conforms to the long-term and fundamental interests of the two peoples. China will continue to support Gambia's national development and the improvement of people's livelihood and is ready to deepen bilateral strategic communication and jointly uphold non-interference in internal affairs, a basic norm governing international relations which underpins the very survival of developing countries.

Tangara said, Gambia-China relations have weathered changing circumstances and moved forward steadily, with smooth progress in cooperation in all areas. The two countries have become the most reliable and strongest partners. Friendship with China is a firm political decision of Gambia. We will always stand with China and always adhere to the one-China principle without any change.

Tangara said that like China, Gambia firmly pursues an independent foreign policy and firmly supports multilateralism. China has played a leading role in promoting global development and made important contributions to the global solidarity against COVID-19. Those arrogant countries are in no position to accuse and attack China.

Wang Yi stressed, it is those countries that wantonly smear and slander China that have committed crimes against many developing countries and brought war and suffering to Muslim countries in history. China's development is a contribution to the growth of the force for peace and for development. We have never engaged in proxy wars nor sought the so-called spheres of influence. We oppose power politics and bloc confrontation, stand for equality among all countries regardless of their sizes, and advocate promoting democracy in international relations. China stands firmly with other developing countries and stands on the right side of history. The revitalization of developing countries represents the trend of human progress. We are fully confident that the 21st century will be the one for developing countries.

Tangara welcomed China's attendance at the session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, and looks forward to further strengthening bilateral exchanges and cooperation. Wang Yi said, the Chinese foreign minister's first attendance at the session marks a new stage in China's relations with the Islamic world. He congratulated Gambia on winning the right to host the OIC Summit, and expects and believes that Gambia will continue to play an active role in the OIC, promote unity and progress in the Islamic world and continuously elevate China-Islamic world exchanges and cooperation to new levels.