Beijing, September 02, 2024, The Europe Today: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), have jointly announced the elevation of their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
During their meeting, President Xi lauded President Guelleh’s consistent participation in all FOCAC summits since the forum’s inception, underscoring the enduring commitment of both nations to South-South cooperation. President Xi emphasized China’s readiness to support Djibouti in several key projects, including the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway and the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone. He also highlighted China’s intention to assist Djibouti in developing a regional trade and logistics hub.
President Xi expressed China’s support for Djibouti’s contributions to peace and development in the Horn of Africa and across the African continent, reinforcing the strong collaborative ties between the two nations.
In response, President Guelleh reaffirmed Djibouti’s commitment to advancing significant projects such as the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway and expanding pragmatic cooperation with China across various sectors. He emphasized Djibouti’s eagerness to enhance communication and collaboration with China to promote regional security and development.
As part of the ongoing cooperation, China and Djibouti are set to sign agreements during the summit covering a range of areas including economy, trade, development, and aerospace.
The announcement of the comprehensive strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between China and Djibouti, reflecting their shared commitment to mutual growth and regional stability.
