Statement by the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea

Joint Statement on Establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China, President and Head of State of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo will pay a state visit to the People's Republic of China from May 27 to May 31, 2024.

During the visit, the two heads of state held talks in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, exchanged in-depth views on China-Equatorial Guinea, China-Africa relations and international and regional issues of common concern, and reached broad and important consensus. Premier Li Qiang of the State Council of the People's Republic of China and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji met with President Obiang respectively.

1. The two sides agreed that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1970, the traditional friendship between the two countries has become stronger over time, political mutual trust has continued to be enhanced, practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results, and close cooperation in international affairs has effectively benefited the two countries and their peoples, setting a model of sincere friendship, mutual respect, and mutually beneficial cooperation between different countries.

The two sides spoke highly of the great progress made in bilateral relations since President Obiang's state visit to China in 2015. Especially in the face of the severe challenge of the COVID-19 epidemic, the people of China and Equatorial Guinea are helping each other and fighting the epidemic side by side, once again demonstrating the deep friendship of sharing weal and woe.

2. Both sides agreed that in the face of today's intertwined world, developing countries need to strengthen unity and cooperation more than ever, and the strategic significance of China-Equatorial Guinea friendly relations has become more prominent. In order to further consolidate political mutual trust and deepen and expand practical cooperation in various fields, the two heads of state decided to upgrade bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

3. The two sides reiterated their firm support for each other in independently exploring development paths that suit their national conditions, and will continue to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning of experience in state governance. Equatorial Guinea highly appreciates the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China for comprehensively promoting the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization. It believes that Chinese-style modernization has expanded path choices and practical plans for developing countries to move towards modernization.

China supports the governance efforts of President Obiang and the Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea. It believes that under the leadership of President Obiang, the projects identified in Equatorial Guinea's "Vision Plan 2035" will be realized as scheduled and new achievements will be achieved in national construction.

4. The two sides emphasized that mutual support on issues involving each other's core interests is the proper meaning of high-level political mutual trust between China and Equatorial Guinea. China reiterates its firm support for Equatorial Guinea in safeguarding its national independence and sovereignty, security and development interests, and resolutely opposes external forces interfering in Equatorial Guinea's internal affairs. Equatorial Guinea reaffirms its firm adherence to the one-China principle and believes that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legal government representing the whole of China. It firmly opposes any form of "Taiwan independence" and opposes external forces interfering in China's internal affairs, and firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. Equatorial Guinea reiterated its support for China's position on issues related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet.

5. The two sides agreed to further play the leading role of the heads of state in diplomacy and intensify exchanges and cooperation between the governments, legislative bodies, political parties and other departments and levels of the two countries.

6. Equatorial Guinea actively responded and firmly supported the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and spoke highly of the positive role played by the Belt and Road Initiative in promoting economic development and improvement of people's livelihood in the co-construction country. The two sides will jointly prepare and sign a cooperation plan on jointly promoting the construction of the "Belt and Road". They are willing to adhere to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits under the guidance of the Silk Road spirit of peaceful cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning, and mutual benefit and win-win results. The two countries are aligned with their development strategies, based on their respective comparative advantages and development needs, actively promote cooperation in various fields, and strive to achieve more practical results.

7. Equatorial Guinea highly appreciates and firmly supports the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and believes that the three major global initiatives provide strategic guidance for promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. China appreciates Equatorial Guinea's active participation in joining the "Group of Friends of Global Development Initiatives". The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. Equatorial Guinea welcomes the Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative and the Global Data Security Initiative proposed by China, and appreciates China's efforts to enhance the rights of developing countries in global governance in the fields of artificial intelligence, network and data.

8. The two sides agreed to further expand trade and investment cooperation and deepen cooperation in agriculture, fishery, energy, mining, infrastructure and other fields. Equatorial Guinea fully affirms the important role played by the "Framework Agreement on Special Arrangements for Economic and Trade Cooperation between the Two Countries" in promoting cooperation between the two sides in infrastructure construction and other fields, and is willing to continue to further strengthen bilateral practical cooperation under the framework agreement. Equatorial Guinea promises to strengthen communication with Chinese companies, actively implement existing cooperation projects, and further improve the business environment to provide good conditions for Chinese companies to operate in Equatorial Guinea. China welcomes Equatorial Guinea to actively participate in the China International Import Expo, China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, and China Import and Export Fair, and supports Equatorial Guinea to enter the Chinese market with more high-quality agricultural and fishery products. China will encourage more powerful Chinese companies to invest in Equatorial Guinea to help the diversified development of Equatorial Guinea's economy.

The two sides agreed to continue to give full play to the role of the Economic and Trade Mixed Committee mechanism between the two countries and promote cooperation in digital economy, green development, blue economy and other fields.

9. The two sides spoke highly of the results of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of culture, tourism, education, youth, media, sports, public health, epidemic prevention and control, and agreed to further expand people-to-people exchanges, deepen people-to-people friendship, and lay a solid foundation for friendship. The two sides are willing to support cooperation between Chinese and Equatorial Guinea educational institutions in the fields of talent training, student exchange, language teaching, vocational skills training, digital education, etc., implement the "China-Africa Hundred Universities Cooperation Plan", and support Chinese and Equatorial Guinea universities in carrying out joint scientific research. The two sides will strengthen exchanges and cooperation and promote more citizens of their own countries to travel to each other's countries. Equatorial Guinea thanks China for its long-term support for Equatorial Guinea's health field. China reiterated that it will continue to support the construction of Equatorial Guinea's public health system within its capabilities, and is willing to communicate closely with Equatorial Guinea, continue to dispatch high-level Chinese medical teams, carry out "small but beautiful" visiting medical activities such as "Guangming Journey", and promote counterpart hospitals. Cooperation to help China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Hospital fully play its effectiveness.

10. The two sides agreed to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the field of peace and security, intensify high-level exchanges between the two countries 'military and police affairs, and strengthen cooperation in personnel training, equipment technology, prevention of terrorist attacks, joint exercises and training, and combating transnational crime.

11. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on international and multilateral affairs. The two sides reiterated their insistence on the equality of all countries, large and small, opposed hegemonism and power politics, and unanimously agreed to adhere to true multilateralism, resolutely defend the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. The basic norms of international relations promote an equal and orderly world multipolarization and inclusive economic globalization, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

12. Both sides agreed that the publication of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence 70 years ago was a major initiative in the history of international relations and made a historic contribution to promoting the establishment of a fair and reasonable new type of international relations. The international community should further promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, enhance friendly cooperation, and promote world peace and development.

13. Both sides agreed that the reform of the United Nations Security Council should support developing countries, including Africa, in playing a greater role, expand their representation and voice in the Security Council, and correct the historical injustice suffered by Africa. China positively evaluates the important role played by Equatorial Guinea as a member of the African Union's Committee of Ten Heads of State on Security Council Reform (C10) and the positive results of the C10 Equatorial Guinea Summit, and is willing to continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Equatorial Guinea. Equatorial Guinea reiterated that the African Union's common position is the only feasible option to correct the historical injustice suffered by Africa, and appreciated China's lead in supporting the African Union's accession to the G20.

14. Both sides agreed that the development of human rights is the common cause of all mankind, the rights to survival and development are the primary basic human rights, and human rights exchanges and cooperation should be carried out on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment.

15. The two sides spoke highly of the leading role of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in promoting high-level cooperation between China and Africa since its establishment 24 years ago, and agreed to further strengthen consultation and coordination on matters related to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and jointly implement the Dakar Action Plan (2022-2024). Practical cooperation in various fields within the framework of the Dakar Action Plan (2022-2024) to jointly respond to global risks and challenges. Both sides look forward to the convening of the new summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and believe that the meeting will open a new chapter of China-Africa unity and cooperation, provide new opportunities for Africa's development and prosperity, and inject strong certainty into global peace and stability.

16. Both sides agreed that during President Obiang's visit to China, China and Equatorial Guinea reached extensive and important consensus and signed a series of cooperation agreements. The visit to China was a complete success, marking that the development of bilateral relations has entered a new stage. President Obiang sincerely thanked President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government and people for their warm and friendly reception during the visit, and invited President Xi Jinping to visit Equatorial Guinea at his convenience.

This statement was jointly issued by both parties in Beijing on May 28.