Chad encouraged to bolster trade, economic ties

President Xi Jinping and Chad's President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno announced on Tuesday the elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.

Mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Chad under the Belt and Road Initiative and FOCAC has yielded fruitful outcomes, Xi said during his meeting with the Chadian president.

China has been Chad's largest trading and investment partner for many years.

Xi said that China is willing to further align its development strategies with the Central African nation and push for new progress in bilateral relations. He said that China will, as always, support Chad in pursuing an independent development path and safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Xi said he welcomes Chad to make good use of the outcomes of the 2024 FOCAC Summit and deepen economic and trade cooperation, in order to strengthen its capability of independent development and also achieve common development.

China is ready to work with Chad to implement the Global Security Initiative, safeguard national security and stability, and work together as stabilizing forces for peace, Xi said.

According to a Foreign Ministry readout, the two countries will sign a number of bilateral cooperation documents related to the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the development of human resources, exports of peanut and sesame to China, and coordination among media organizations.

The Chadian president expressed his appreciation of China's assistance for his country's economic and social development, and said that Chad is firmly committed to further deepening friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation with China.

Chad admires China's development achievements and is glad to see the country's continued growth, he said, adding that China's sustained development will bring more opportunities for the development of Chad, Africa and the world at large.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, also met with the Chadian guest on Tuesday.