Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with Somali Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf during their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 27, 2013. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
BEIJING (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that China is willing to cooperate with Somalia in economy and trade and actively participate in its national reconstruction.
Wang made the remarks in talks with Somali Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf, who is in China on a week-long official visit.
Chinese people will never forget that Somalia was the first country in east Africa to establish diplomatic ties with China and among the African countries that helped China to resume its legitimate seat in the United Nations, Wang said, adding that the friendship has never changed despite Somalia's civil war that began in 1991.
China has been giving Somalia assistance and support within its due capacity, Wang said.
"Currently, Somalia has seen positive developments in its peace process and national reconstruction. China is willing to gradually resume and increase high-level exchanges with Somalia, conduct economic and trade cooperation and actively participate in its national reconstruction, " Wang said, hoping to consolidate the traditional friendship during the process.
Thanking China for the its long-term political support and economic assistance, Yusuf said China remains a true friend of Somalia and she hope CHina could play a more important role in the peace process and national reconstruction of Somalia.