By Chisomo Phiri
Vice President of the People’s Republic of China, Han Zheng, has praised President Dr.Lazarus Chakwera for strengthening relations between China and Malawi.
Zheng expressed his warm welcome to President Chakwera and the Malawi delegation at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, China, on Monday evening, ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit.
“We are delighted to welcome you back to China for the FOCAC Summit, following your successful visit last June, where you delivered a keynote address at the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE),” said Zheng.
He noted that relations between the two countries continue to flourish, and President Xi Jinping looks forward to exploring more areas of cooperation with President Chakwera during their meeting.
On his part,Chakwera expressed gratitude for China’s support and the strong bilateral relations between Malawi and China, formally established in 2008.
“Malawi is thankful for China’s generous support of numerous influential projects in our country, facilitated through grants and concessional loans during our nearly two decades of diplomatic relations,” said Chakwera.
He highlighted China’s successful implementation of vital infrastructure projects in transportation, education, healthcare, and energy, including the rehabilitation of the M1 road and the National Fibre Backbone Project II.
Additionally, Chakwera appreciated the Chinese government’s feasibility study for the construction of the Judiciary Complex in Lilongwe through grant financing.
Chakwera also expressed Malawi’s support for the inclusion of the Belt and Road Initiative in this year’s FOCAC Summit, emphasizing infrastructure development and regional connectivity projects.
The 2024 FOCAC Summit will focus on building relations and cooperation in supporting Africa’s industrialization, energy, and trade as a priority, as well as talent development, accelerating agricultural modernization, belt and road cooperation, and agenda 2063 of the African Union.
Chakwera is expected to hold bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping today Tuesday and meet with various industry captains and partners to foster developments in Malawi.
FOCAC was established in 2000 to foster relations between China and the 53 African nations and the African Union (AU), with summits held every six years and ministerial conferences every three years.
