Chinese top legislator pledges closer ties with Uganda

Chinese top legislator Zhang Dejiang pledged on Tuesday to boost bilateral ties with Uganda.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), who is on a two-day visit to Uganda, made the pledge during meetings and talks with Ugandan leaders.

When meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Zhang expressed appreciation for his great efforts to promote bilateral ties.

The governments, parliaments, political parties and local institutions of China and Uganda have maintained close contact under the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual trust, since they forged diplomatic relations 51 years ago, Zhang said, adding that the two sides have also achieved sound development of bilateral cooperation in all areas.

"You and our President have recently held a fruitful bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 5th BRICS summit in South Africa. I hope my visit will help further implement the consensus reached by the two countries' leaders, cement the two sides' traditional friendship, promote all-around cooperation and inject vigor into the development of bilateral relations. " Zhang said. "China supports Uganda to explore the development path based on its own national conditions."

Noting that the world today is undergoing profound and complicated changes, Zhang said strengthening relations and consolidating cooperation with African countries is the cornerstone of China's foreign policy as well as China's long-term, strategic choice.

He briefed Museveni on the Chinese Dream of achieving prosperity, national rejuvenation, people's well-being, and world peaceful development.

"Chinese people are making efforts for the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. We hope to explore common ground for the Chinese Dream and the development of African countries, including Uganda, to promote common development," Zhang said.

Museveni said China is a trustworthy and good friend of Uganda, and thanked China for its support and assistance to his country over the years.

Speaking of Africa-China cooperation, Museveni said Africa is at an important development stage and the two sides' cooperation faces fresh opportunities.

Museveni also expressed his confidence in the further development of the two countries' relations, and the ties between Africa and China.

While meeting with Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, Zhang said economic and trade cooperation between China and Uganda have enjoyed sound development, and have great potential and broad prospects. He expected the two sides to focus on major bilateral projects, ensuring their implementation and completion; explore new ways of cooperation; make full use of the role of market players; promote cooperation in industries related to peoples' livelihood, such as the light and textile industries; make new achievements in bilateral cooperation, and bring more benefit to the two peoples.

Mbabazi commended the pragmatic and fruitful cooperation between the two sides and pledged to support bilateral economic and trade cooperation, urge enterprises to work closely with the Chinese, make more efforts on key projects in the fields like infrastructure, learn from China's development experience, and advance the two countries' cooperation in all fields.

During the talks with Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, Zhang said strengthening communication between the two countries' legislative bodies is of great significance for promoting overall bilateral relations.

He hoped the two legislatures would increase friendly contacts, enhance communication and exchanges on governance and legislation supervision, strengthen coordination in international parliamentary organizations, and make cooperation between the legislative bodies a positive tool to promote bilateral relations.

China and Uganda are making efforts to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in key areas, such as energy development and infrastructure construction, Zhang said, adding that he hoped the two sides advance pragmatic cooperation and create a favorable legal environment for bilateral cooperation in all fields.

Kadaga said the visit is the first time that China's top legislator has visited Uganda, and it is of great significance for the promotion of bilateral ties.

She said the Ugandan parliament is willing to enhance communication and strengthen cooperation with China's NPC, and make contributions to the friendly relations between the two countries.

After their talks, Zhang and Kadaga signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the NPC and the Ugandan parliament.