Progress seen in ties with Guinea-Bissau

China is willing to carry forward its traditional friendship with Guinea-Bissau, advance strategic cooperation and jointly safeguard the sovereignty, security and development interests of both countries, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo in Beijing.

Xi recalled Embalo's state visit to China in July, saying that his attendance at the 2024 FOCAC Summit demonstrates his country's friendly relations with China and high regard for China-Africa solidarity and cooperation.

He noted that bilateral cooperation in various fields has been pragmatic and efficient, with progress seen in Guinea-Bissau's exports of cashew nuts to China and the sending of a new group of Chinese agricultural technology experts to the African country.

Xi expressed the hope that both sides would actively implement the outcomes of the FOCAC summit to give new impetus to the development of bilateral relations and China-Africa cooperation, and work together to promote modernization.

Embalo said that for Africa, China represents the future and serves as a brother.

He praised the important initiatives proposed by Xi, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, and said that these demonstrate extraordinary strategic vision and historical significance and show strong theoretical and practical innovation.

Guinea-Bissau greatly appreciates and actively supports these initiatives, he added.

Guinea-Bissau is willing to be a reliable friend and partner of China, and it wants to use the FOCAC summit as an opportunity to deepen friendly exchanges and practical cooperation between the two countries, Embalo added.