Xi Jinping Speaks with Côte d'Ivoire's President Alassane Ouattara on the Phone

On the afternoon of December 20, 2022, President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with Côte d'Ivoire's President Alassane Ouattara at the latter's request.

Xi Jinping pointed out that Côte d'Ivoire is an important cooperation partner of China in Africa, and the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year deserves joint commemoration. China highly appreciates Côte d'Ivoire's firm adherence to the one-China principle, and will continue to work with Côte d'Ivoire to support each other on issues concerning respective core interests, further consolidate and deepen China-Côte d'Ivoire relations, and elevate bilateral relations to new heights.

Noting the broad prospects for China-Côte d'Ivoire cooperation, Xi Jinping said China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Côte d'Ivoire across the board, expanding trade in agricultural produce, enhancing cooperation in planting and processing rice and cacao, and supporting Côte d'Ivoire in expanding and strengthening its cacao industry. Xi expressed the hope that the relevant projects supported and undertaken by the Chinese side will be completed as soon as possible to deliver benefits to the country. China will continue to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Côte d'Ivoire, and expand bilateral cooperation in such fields as digital economy and new energy. China appreciates Côte d'Ivoire's governing philosophy of attaching equal importance to development and security, and will strengthen policy exchanges with the country, carry out cooperation in line with Côte d'Ivoire's needs, and provide support to Côte d'Ivoire to the best of its ability. Xi stressed that China has always strengthened solidarity and cooperation with African countries on the basis of the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith and with a commitment to greater good and shared interests, and will take more concrete actions to implement the Global Development Initiative and the action plans of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to help boost Africa's development. China also stands ready to work with Côte d'Ivoire and other African countries to uphold international fairness and justice and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

Ouattara extended congratulations on President Xi Jinping's re-election as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. He recalled his state visit to China in 2018 which left him with a deep impression, and said he looks forward to the upcoming 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries with high expectations. Ouattara noted that China has provided valuable support and made important contributions to upholding and promoting regional and international peace and security, including Côte d'Ivoire, and to supporting the economic and social development of African countries, for which his country is sincerely grateful. He stressed that Côte d'Ivoire holds friendly sentiments toward the Chinese people, is firmly committed to the one-China principle and multilateralism, and actively supports the Belt and Road Initiative. More Chinese businesses are welcome to invest in cacao processing and other industries in Côte d'Ivoire, and to help promote the industrialization of the country. Côte d'Ivoire stands ready to further strengthen cooperation with China within the framework of the FOCAC, and maintain close communication and coordination on regional and international affairs.