Gambian Vice President Muhammad B.S. Jallow commended north China's Tianjin Port for its zero-carbon, fully automated terminal as a model of how economic growth can align with environmental protection, saying the experience offers lessons for The Gambia. Tianjin Port, located on the coast of the Bohai Sea, is a major shipping point in north China. Linking over 500 ports in more than 180 countries and regions, it is one of the world top 10 ports, and it is also home to the world's first fully automated, zero-carbon terminal -- proof that economic growth and environmental protection aren't at odds.
During a recent visit to Tianjin Port, Jallow told China Global Television Network (CGTN) he was struck by its automation and zero-carbon achievements, describing the development model as uniquely impressive. "The level of automation, that is the thing that impressed me most, particularly, I mean as we are realizing that this is the first zero-emission port. We know that climate change is a big problem for all countries, particularly a country like The Gambia, which is just about one meter above sea level. So any little rise of the seas, in fact our capital city will be flooded, will be lost. So I think something like this is something that we can learn from. You cannot separate economic development from environmental protection, because environment protection actually enhances economic development. So that's why I say, I think zero carbon actually improves economic development," he said.
On May 1, China introduced zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic ties, becoming the first major economy to take such a step. The policy opens China's vast market wider to African goods and creates new opportunities for the continent.
The zero-tariff policy has opened new prospects for African exports, and Jallow pointed to The Gambia's groundnuts as a key beneficiary, thanking China for granting them access to its market.
"For us, our main export crop is actually groundnuts. And in fact I'll take this opportunity to thank the government of China for allowing our groundnuts to come after a lot of work that will enhance our income of the country. And we hope that, as time goes on, more groundnuts will be exported and cashew nuts, in fact for that matter, will be exported to China," he said.
Gambian VP commends Tianjin Port’s zero-carbon model
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, said on Monday that the relationship between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) stands at a new historical starting point.
Xi arrived in the DPRK capital of Pyongyang earlier on Monday to begin a two-day state visit at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, marking his first trip to the country in seven years.
Delivering a speech at a welcome banquet hosted by Kim, Xi pointed out that China and the DPRK, linked by mountains and rivers and sharing a common future, have seen their traditional friendship passed down across generations and grow ever stronger over time through the test of the evolving international landscape.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, and the China-DPRK relationship stands at a new historical starting point, Xi said, noting that he has reached important consensus with Kim during his visit.
From the strategic perspective of the future and destiny of socialism, both leaders have agreed to seize the general trend of the times, respond to the shared aspirations of the two peoples, strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation, enhance people-to-people bonds, promote the high-level development of China-DPRK relations, jointly open up brighter prospects for the socialist cause of both countries, and contribute to the continuous progress of human society, Xi said.
The successful convening of the Ninth Congress of the WPK this year has made strategic plans and major arrangements for the long-term development of the Party and the country's cause, ushering in a new period of comprehensive development of the DPRK's socialist cause, Xi said.
As good neighbors, good friends and good comrades, the Chinese side sincerely wishes that, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the WPK headed by General Secretary Kim, the DPRK people will successfully accomplish the goals and tasks set by the Ninth Congress of the WPK and make constant new achievements in the socialist cause of the DPRK, Xi said.
On behalf of the WPK, the government and the people of the DPRK, Kim extended the warmest welcome to Xi on his visit. Kim said that Pyongyang was filled with an atmosphere of friendship on this special day as the DPRK's Party, government and people warmly welcomed their most distinguished guest.
Noting that Xi's first overseas trip of the year had brought him to the DPRK, Kim said this fully demonstrated the great importance Xi attached to developing relations between the two parties and the two countries, and constituted the most valuable support for the DPRK's socialist cause.
Noting the meeting with Xi came nine months after their previous meeting, Kim said that during this meeting, they reached important consensus on further advancing DPRK-China relations with new contemporary connotations in light of new changing circumstances, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, which will surely accelerate the development of the DPRK-China friendship with profound historical traditions, and contribute to peace and stability in the region and the world.
The DPRK people take heartfelt joy in the remarkable achievements made by the brotherly Chinese people, Kim said, expressing belief that under the leadership of the CPC with Xi at its core, the great Chinese people will surely create greater achievements in building a great modern socialist country in all respects, realizing the Second Centenary Goal, and completing the new journey toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Xi says China-DPRK ties stand at new historical starting point
