Chinese president pledges to enhance cooperation with Republic of Congo, Africa

Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged Friday in Brazzaville that China will enhance cooperation with the Republic of Congo and remain an "all-weather" friend and partner of Africa.

At a meeting with his Congolese counterpart Denis Sassou Nguesso, Xi hailed the deep traditional friendship between the two nations, saying both countries have offered firm support for each other and carried out friendly cooperation.

China is now the the Republic of Congo's largest trading partner. Two-way trade jumped to 5 billion U.S. dollars in 2012 from 290 million dollars in 2002.

On the occasion of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties next year, Xi said he hoped the two sides will make joint efforts and deepen their friendship and mutual trust, so as to lift the bilateral comprehensive cooperative partnership of solidarity and mutual assistance to a new level.

The Chinese leader said Beijing accords great importance to Brazzaville's demand for cooperation in certain aspects, and pledged to facilitate major bilateral cooperation projects and encourage Chinese enterprises to participate in the development of special economic zones in the country.

For his part, Sassou Nguesso spoke highly of the headway made in bilateral ties, and the fruitful outcomes of their cooperation in various fields.

The Congolese president said his country appreciates China's assistance, and hopes to enhance cooperation with China in road and railway construction and other areas.

Sassou Nguesso also dismissed the so-called "Chinese neo-colonialism" in Africa, saying the African people would not be misled by such "ill-disposed" allegations as they fully understood what colonialism is through their own history.

China respects Africa, helps Africa, and does not interfere in the internal affairs of African countries, Sassou Nguesso said.

The African people support Africa-China cooperation, and hope China would play a greater role in promoting peace, stability and development in Africa, he said.

Xi encouraged African nations to continue to seek strength from unity, and reaffirmed China's commitment to developing friendly cooperation with African nations and promoting peace and development in the continent.