The ambassador of Congo to China, Pierre Passi, said yesterday
that the newly elected president of the African Union (AU), also
the president of Congo, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, will go on exerting
to promote the friendly exchanges and cooperation between China and
African countries.
Passi made the remarks during an interview with Xinhua News
Agency before a reception held for African diplomats in China to
celebrate the election of Nguesso as new AU president.
Passi said China and African countries have a long history of
traditional friendship, and that Congo and China, as old friends
for years, share similar stances on many international issues and
actively cooperate in various fields.
Noting that Congo is a major trading partner of China, he said
Chinese companies participate in many construction projects in
Congo, and that the Congolese government sends a large number of
students to China annually and artists of the two countries conduct
frequent visits.
Passi said Congo will attach great importance to the upcoming
first summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, to be held in
Beijing, and it will be a good opportunity to strengthen diplomatic
ties between Congo and China.
Passi also reiterated the Congo's adherence to the one-China
policy, and strongly denounced Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's
decision to cease the function of the "National Unification
Council" and the application of the "National Unification
Guidelines," saying that these actions will increase tension in
cross-Straits relations and undermine peace and stability in the
Asia-Pacific region.
In his speech at the reception, Passi also called on all African
countries to make joint efforts to strive for peace and development
within the African continent.
Africa is facing challenges of security, poverty and political
stability, Passi said. President Nguesso will take measures during
his term in a bid to realize peace and stability in the African
continent.
(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2006)
