On the morning of September 2, 2024, President Xi Jinping met with Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe, who is in China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two heads of state announced the elevation of China-Togo relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Xi Jinping appreciated Faure Gnassingbe's long-term important contributions to the development of bilateral relations and FOCAC's institutional development. He pointed out that China firmly supports Africa's strength through unity and integration process. This summit will draw a new blueprint for China-Africa cooperation and mark a milestone in the history of China-Africa relations. China is ready to work closely with the Togolese side to make the summit a complete success.
Xi Jinping stressed that the traditional friendship between China and Togo and between China and Africa was forged by the elder generation of leaders of both sides. Entering the new era, China-Togo relations have deepened, showing resilience and vitality. The two sides have always firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. The two countries enjoy enduring friendship and unbreakable mutual trust, which have become a model of sincere friendship, solidarity and cooperation between countries. China is ready to further enhance political mutual trust with Togo, expand practical cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, water conservancy, connectivity and other fields, deepen multilateral cooperation and promote regional unity and stability.
Faure Gnassingbe noted that keeping abreast of the times and meeting the development needs of African countries, FOCAC has become an important pillar for promoting the development of African countries and Africa-China friendly relations. At a time when the world is facing increasing risks and threats, China's support and cooperation are crucial to Africa's security and development. Faure Gnassingbe thanked President Xi Jinping for hosting the FOCAC Beijing Summit and expressed the belief that the summit will inject new impetus into Africa-China cooperation and make new contributions to promoting security, development of Africa and the world as well as the progress of civilization. Togo-China cooperation is strategic and based on the solid foundation of mutual respect and common development. Friendly exchanges and cooperation with China have strongly boosted Togo's capacity building and national development, and the Togolese side looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in infrastructure, science, technology, digital economy and other fields. Togo firmly adheres to the one-China policy, supports China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and supports China's position on issues such as Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Wang Yi was present at the meeting.