On January 14, 2018 local time, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Minister of External Relations Manuel Domingos Augusto of Angola in Luanda.
Wang Yi expressed that China and Angola enjoy traditional relationship. China has become Angola’s important strategic partner in politics and the largest trading partner in economy after 35 years of development. With broad fields and fruitful outcomes, China-Angola cooperation has become a model of China-Africa mutually beneficial cooperation. On this occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two countries, both sides should jointly well write two major chapters in inheriting the past and ushering the future for bilateral relations, and promoting transformation and upgrading as well as improvement of the quality and efficiency of China-Angola cooperation, so as to add new connotation to China-Angola strategic partnership. The two sides should consolidate political mutual trust, continue firmly supporting each other on issues concerning respective core interests, conduct exchanges of experience on state governance and administration, improve the capacity for state governance, and strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs to safeguard common interests. China supports Angola in advancing the development strategy of economic diversification, and stands ready to help Angola accelerate the industrialization process by combining China’s advantages and Angola’s needs so as to enhance the country’s capacity for independent and sustainable development. China supports Angola in striving to improve business environment, and is ready to continue encouraging Chinese enterprises to invest and conduct cooperation in Angola. It is hoped that the Angolan side will take concrete measures to guarantee the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
Wang Yi said that China is willing to maintain communication with the Angolan side and make the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit become another grand meeting to promote solidarity, mutual benefit and win-win results between China and Africa.
Manuel Domingos Augusto welcomed Wang Yi’s visit on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two countries, and expressed that Angola-China relations are built on the basis of mutual respect and equal-footed dialogues. Attaching great importance to developing relations with China, the Angolan side will continue firmly adhering to the one-China policy and supporting China’s legitimate rights and interests on issues concerning its core interests such as the South China Sea issue. The Angolan side stands ready to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in such fields as politics, diplomacy, economy and trade, and culture between the two countries, with a view to better benefit the two peoples. Angola thanks China for its great support and important role in Angola’s peace-building and post-war reconstruction, and is willing to devote efforts to improve the business environment. The country welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and start business in Angola and conduct mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as trade, agriculture, public facilities and health. Angola welcomes China to play an important role in African affairs, and believes that China is the solution for the African issues. Only cooperating with China can Africa realize its true independence. The Angolan side stands ready to cooperate with China to ensure the FOCAC Beijing Summit a success.
After their talks, Wang Yi and Manuel Domingos Augusto jointly signed the agreement on the simplification of visa procedures between the Chinese and Angolan governments (Agreement on the Simplification of Visa Procedures between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Angola).
