Firm support of core interests key to smooth development of China-DR Congo ties: FM Qin Gang

President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix Tshisekedi will pay a state visit to China between May 24 and 29 and it is expected that the two countries' leaders will make a top-level plan and clarify the strategic direction for the development of China-DRC relations in the next stage, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said during a meeting with DRC Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula in Beijing on Monday.

The economies of China and the DRC are highly complementary, with broad prospects for cooperation, and China has been Congo's largest trading partner and source of investment for a number of years. China is willing to continue to work with the DRC to promote high-quality joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative, implement various consensuses under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and overcome disturbances and turn the DRC's resource advantages into development momentum, Qin said.

It is hoped that the DRC will create a good business environment and provide security guarantees for Chinese companies hoping to invest and start businesses in the country, Qin noted.

Qin said that firmly supporting each other's core interests has been key to the smooth development of China-DRC relations over the past 50 years, and also the core essence of the China-DRC strategic partnership. China is willing to strengthen solidarity and coordination with the DRC in multilateral bodies such as the United Nations, resolutely defend the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and promote the development of international order and global governance toward a fairer and more reasonable direction.

Lutundula thanked China for its long-term help and valuable support for the economic and social development of the DRC, and reiterated that the DRC firmly adheres to the one-China policy.

President Tshisekedi will be paying a historic first visit to China. The DRC will promote practical cooperation in various fields between the two countries with great enthusiasm and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China, while upholding constructive concepts to develop bilateral relations, so as to benefit the two countries, Lutundula said.