The Central African Republic's Foreign Minister Sylvie Baipo-Temon on Monday hailed her trip to China as a constructive and fruitful visit, with full and rich exchanges.
Baipo-Temon paid an official visit to China from Sunday to Tuesday at the invitation of Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
"The relationship between China and the Central African Republic is excellent. We already have economic cooperation agreements, and we need to extend it to other areas. The Central African Republic is a country with huge potential, and China is a country with rich experience and expertise. We can strengthen cooperation in education, agriculture, infrastructure, energy, telecommunications and security," said Baipo-Temon.
Baipo-Temon said that the Central African Republic will participate in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) this autumn and is full of expectations for future cooperation.
"In fact, President Touadera attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2018, and our President will continue to participate in the FOCAC in 2024, so as to continue the good momentum since 2018 and further identify the priority fields where we need to strengthen cooperation in the future. As people know, China is a special and important partner of Africa, and Africa is also a special and important partner of China, which is why we regularly hold the FOCAC. I believe that the expectations of African countries are the same, namely to further strengthen the partnership between China and Africa, so that the priorities of individual countries can be integrated into the framework of the FOCAC," said the foreign minister.
During her visit, the two countries issued a joint statement on promoting the implementation of the three global initiatives.
"In terms of security issues, it is very important to draw inspiration from Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. He advocated multi-polarity, balanced development and more equitable distribution in the world. We must remove external interference and ensure the independence of countries, so that they can freely express sovereignty. We also should respect the uniqueness of each country. As the geopolitical situation is becoming increasingly tense, Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy deserves more attention and advance. As the Global Security Initiative approaches its second anniversary, I think it is a good timing to reiterate this idea. The Central African Republic fully supports the initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and is willing to make efforts to help turn it from concept into reality," she said.
Visit to China constructive, fruitful: CAR FM
The year 2024 celebrates the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, and it also heralds the China-France Year of Cultural Tourism, a celebration aimed at bolstering cultural and people-to-people exchanges through a series of enriching events.
During a special episode focused on this milestone, cultural experts and influencers from both nations shared insights into the depth of Sino-French cultural interactions.
The discussion, livestreamed from Shanghai on April 22, began with a historical overview, notably when then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai introduced President Georges Pompidou to the Yungang Grottoes, a renowned Buddhist cave site in north China's Shanxi. These caves feature intricate carvings that reflect religious and cultural syntheses from the 5th and 6th centuries.
David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, commented on the geopolitical context of the initial outreach.
"People have to remember that we were in the middle of the Cold War, therefore, the world was divided. For a Western country like France to reach out to China, and of course vice versa, it's a beautiful moment, historical diplomatic breakthroughs, means that despite all the geopolitical difficulties, a spirit of cooperation and friendship can prevail," said Gosset.
Xie Dingwei, executive director of the Bund One Art Museum, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
"We need to preserve these cultural heritages. We not [just] preserve the sculptures or the buildings itself, but also, it gives us a chance to see hundreds of years ago, how our craftsmanship, our architecture, our human beings, we have reached [such] high levels, which brings us to the present time these treasures, these values. This is something we really cannot afford to lose. Culture is a common language; it doesn't matter you're Eastern art or Western art, somehow they can be connected. So this is something I think it creates a communication channel between the nations," said Xie.
The cultural connection was recently demonstrated during a meeting last April between French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they enjoyed the performance of "Flowing Water" played on the Guqin by a Chinese artist, symbolizing the flowing friendship between the two nations.
"This communication on art subjects between the nations and different peoples are really, really important. It goes beyond politics, beyond the differences between the nations. But you all go to getting closer to understanding each other," said Xie.
Gosset also supported the notion of fostering unity through cultural platforms, aligning with President Xi Jinping's idea of building a community with a shared future.
"I am completely aligned with this idea. We are on the same boat. Our world is frightened by too many divisions. And I think, what is important is to support the forces that can unite us, so it can be music, and certainly museums, and you need leaders with a vision that does not separate us," said Gosset.
Six decades of China-France diplomatic relations highlighted by cultural exchange
