China and Eritrea oppose hegemonic interferences in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of democracy and human rights, said a joint statement on Wednesday.

The statement was jointly issued by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh.

Wang is currently on his four-day visit to Africa and Eritrea was the first leg of his three-nation tour. Chinese foreign ministers have chosen the continent as their first overseas destination in the New Year for 32 consecutive years.

During his meeting with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki on Wednesday, Wang said China staunchly supported Eritrea to uphold sovereign independence and national dignity as well as oppose external interference and unilateral sanctions.

While talking about the situation of the Horn of Africa, Wang said unrest and frequent conflicts in the region were caused as some major countries outside the region took the Horn of Africa as an arena for geopolitical games.

It seriously damaged regional peace and stability, and held back regional development and rejuvenation, Wang said.

As a sincere friend and a reliable partner of countries in the Horn of Africa, China stood ready to play a constructive role in the process of the countries' seeking peace and security, releasing development potential and increasing governance capacities, Wang said.

Isaias noted that Eritrea resolutely rejected external forces to create social divisions and ethnic conflicts in the region.

He also refuted the so-called "China Debt Trap" theory, saying that China never meddled in the internal affairs of other countries.

Hailing China as an indispensable true partner in African development, Isaias hoped China would play a bigger role in the process of African peace and development.

Wang also met with Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh on the same day. He called for the two sides to step up coordination in international and multilateral affairs, hold high the banner of multilateralism and reject bullying and hegemonic power politics.

Osman said Eritrea was committed to the one-China principle and support China's just positions on issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, the South China Sea, etc.

He also agreed to scale up coordination with China to jointly uphold legitimate interests of developing countries.