Presidents Xi Jinping and Félix Tshisekedi sign 4 MoUs during China state visit

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, was welcomed with all the honors, this Friday, May 27, 2023, on the esplanade of the Great Palace of the People of Beijing by his host, President Xi Jinping of the Republic popular in China.

National anthems, 21 cannon shots, fanfare, military parade and children’s greetings, everything was put in place to make this sumptuous welcome worthy of the exceptional quality of bilateral relations between Congo and China.

The two Presidents had profound words to describe the state of good bilateral relations China-DRC.

In his introductory speech to the bilateral working session, President Xi Jinping underlined his desire to consolidate pragmatic cooperation with the DRC. 

He congratulated President Tshisekedi for his national and regional leadership in consolidating peace, development and stability in Africa and in the DRC in particular.

China will release emergency aid of 1 million dollars to help the affected populations of Kalehe, victims of the torrential rains.

Finally, President Xi Jinping expressed his desire to develop bilateral cooperation.

“I believe that we should create more opportunities between our countries and develop bilateral relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership,” said the Chinese President.

For his part, President Félix Tshisekedi thanked his host for the warm welcome of the people and the Chinese authorities offered to him, his wife and the Congolese delegation.

President Félix Tshisekedi hailed the great achievements made by China over the past ten years, particularly under the leadership of President Xi Jinping.

The Congolese Head of State wished that the two countries take a new step in the partnership which unites them for the benefit of their respective peoples while welcoming the values ​​common to both countries.

“I appreciate China’s history and its struggle to defend its sovereignty as well as the Congo, and China’s tradition of non-interference is also a shared value,” President Tshisekedi said.

Signing of 4 bilateral cooperation memoranda

After the majestic welcome and the in-depth working session, this historic meeting placed under the sign of pragmatism was followed by a signing ceremony of several memorandums of understanding established in different fields.

Here is the list of memorandums of understanding signed this Friday, May 26, 2023 during a ceremony chaired by the two Heads of State, Xi Jinping and Félix Tshisekedi:

1/ Memorandum of understanding on investment and the ecological exploitation of natural resources;

2/ Memorandum of Understanding on Information Exchange and Cooperation;

3/ Memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the development of the digital economy;

4/ Memorandum of understanding on promoting the development of green growth;

5/ Cooperation agreement between the two national television channels, CGTN and RTNC.

The Congolese Head of State and his delegation also took part in the dinner offered in their honor by the Chinese President in the evening.

This Saturday, May 27, 2023, the Head of State, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, visited Shanghai for economic meetings in this second Chinese city.