On Wednesday, July 10, Guinea-Bissau and China agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo was hosted by his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. Xi emphasized the need for bilateral efforts to enhance exchanges and cooperation in education and youth development to strengthen people-to-people ties. He also assured that China would continue providing government scholarships and training opportunities to help Guinea-Bissau cultivate talents essential for its national development.
Embalo praised the enduring ties between the two nations. “President Xi mentioned our national anthem just now, which we sing every day. It was written by our founding father and composed by a Chinese friend. This is something we will never forget. China has supported us before and after the founding of our country, and we have always stood together with China. China has not only helped Guinea-Bissau, but also helped the entire African continent,” he said.
Xi highlighted the significance of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) as a crucial platform for Chinese and African peoples to implement the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and promote common development. He recalled that China celebrated the 70th anniversary of these principles in Beijing two weeks ago and announced that the next FOCAC summit is scheduled for this autumn in Beijing.
Xi described the mutual support and assistance between China and African countries as a sincere brotherhood characterized by sincerity, amity, and good faith. He called for joint efforts to create a new era of solidarity and cooperation among developing countries under the new circumstances.
Following their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in various fields, including the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, economic development, customs inspection and quarantine, geology, and mining.
Embalo is on a five-day state visit ending on July 13.