Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President of the Council of Ministers of Togo Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe in Beijing on Tuesday, announcing the elevation of bilateral relations to a China-Togo community with a shared future for the new era.
Xi said the China-Togo traditional friendship was cultivated by the older generation of leaders of both countries, enjoying a solid foundation and growing stronger over time.
The two sides should further strengthen exchanges at all levels between the two parties and two countries, deepen exchanges of experience in governance, and firmly support each other on issues involving their core interests and major concerns, Xi said.
According to Xi, the zero-tariff policy is a special arrangement by China aimed at supporting Africa's independent development and empowering China-Africa cooperation through institutional opening-up.
China welcomes Togo's efforts to make good use of the zero-tariff policy and the green lanes for Togolese products exported to China, Xi said, expressing hope that Togo will further leverage its role as a regional hub for trade and logistics and bring more distinctive products from Togo and the region into the Chinese market.
Xi said China appreciates Togo's efforts to expand the cross-border use of the renminbi and is ready to strengthen cooperation with Togo in new energy, digital intelligence and other fields to support its industrialization.
China and Togo share similar positions on international and regional affairs, Xi said, urging the two sides to strengthen multilateral coordination, work together to promote reform, improve global governance, and advance regional peace and security.
Xi put forward four principles for the constructive participation of all parties in the settlement of hotspot issues in Africa.
First, adhering to the principle of "Africa-led." The African people are the true masters of Africa and should play a central role in regional affairs, Xi said.
Second, upholding fairness and justice. All participating parties should abide by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries concerned, he noted.
Third, promoting ceasing hostilities for peace. Wars and unilateral sanctions cannot fundamentally resolve conflicts between countries. It is imperative to uphold mutual respect, conduct extensive consultations, seek common ground while shelving differences, and practice mutual understanding and accommodation.
Fourth, addressing both symptoms and root causes. Efforts should focus on immediate security while planning for long-term development, Xi said.
Noting that next year will mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Gnassingbe said Togo is ready to work with China to enhance mutual trust, strengthen dialogue and communication, and deepen sustained and mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to jointly build a China-Togo community with a shared future for the new era and bring greater benefits to the two peoples.
He said Togo is willing to learn from China's experience in governance, welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Togo, and is ready to cooperate with China in trade, infrastructure construction, science and technology and other fields.
Togo fully agrees with the important principles put forward by Xi on constructive participation by all parties in resolving hotspot issues in Africa, highly appreciates China's important role in safeguarding world peace and stability and jointly tackling global challenges, and is ready to strengthen multilateral cooperation with China, and jointly uphold multilateralism and safeguard the interests of developing countries, he said.
Xi meets Togo's president of Council of Ministers
