China, DRC to enhance bilateral ties

BRI document signed by both countries shows commitment to development, prosperity

The Democratic Republic of Congo became the 45th African country to sign a cooperative document to develop the Belt and Road with China, marking the initiative's growing circle of friends and its ability to survive the economic headwinds amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The document was signed during ongoing talks between China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and DRC Minister of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs Marie Tumba Nzeza in the Central African country's capital Kinshasa on Wednesday.

Wang said the Belt and Road Initiative is an important international cooperation initiative and is committed to promoting complementary economic benefits among countries, synergizing development strategies, forming joint development efforts, and realizing common prosperity.

In the first three quarters of last year, China's non-financial direct investment in countries involved in the BRI grew 30 percent year-on-year.

By December, China had signed 202 documents with 138 countries and 31 international organizations on BRI cooperation, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.

Last month, China and the African Union signed a cooperation plan to jointly advance the Belt and Road－the first of its kind signed between China and a regional organization of international significance.

Zhu Jing, Chinese ambassador to the DRC, noted that economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has soared despite the pandemic, showing great vitality and resilience.

In the first 10 months of last year, bilateral trade increased by 34.4 percent year-on-year, and a number of new investment projects were launched, Zhu said to local media on Monday.

The trade momentum reflects great potential and the complementary economic relationship between the two countries, and the Wednesday signing of the China-DRC Belt and Road document sends a positive signal to the world that both countries are committed to common development and prosperity, Wang Yi said.

The signing will lead the economic circles of the two countries to further strengthen cooperation, inject stronger dynamism into win-win bilateral cooperation and introduce a broader prospect to two-way relations.

Nzeza told Wang that the DRC welcomes further investment from China and it anticipates greater cooperation in areas such as agriculture and education.

Wang arrived in the country ahead of the DRC taking the rotating chairmanship of the African Union later this year.

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi said the two countries will strengthen coordination and cooperation, and expand Africa's voice in international affairs.

Wang said China supports the DRC in fulfilling its duties as the AU chair, as China and Africa are a community with a shared future.

China is ready to step up communication and cooperation with the DRC, as seen in areas such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The forum played an important role in promoting China-Africa relations and the development of African countries.

China congratulates the commencement of the African Continental Free Trade Area on Jan 1 this year, and supports Africa's efforts to strengthen itself through unity and promoting integration. Wang said China hopes that Africa will play a bigger role in international affairs.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn