China puts ties with ‘brother’ Mozambique on highest footing in quest for stronger links in Africa

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China puts ties with ‘brother’ Mozambique on highest footing in quest for stronger links in Africa

12:52 CAT | 19 May 2016

AP / China's President Xi Jinping, right, and Mozambique's President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi shake hands at a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing,on Wednesday.

Comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to be a model for relations between Beijing and other countries in Africa.

China will raise ties with Mozambique to the highest level in Beijing’s diplomatic system as it tries to expand political, energy and economic cooperation in Africa.

In his meeting with Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi on Wednesday, President Xi Jinping said ties between the two countries would be raised to a “comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership”.

Xi also described Mozambique as “a good brother”, with the two countries having fought “shoulder to shoulder against imperialism and colonialism”.

“Our two countries are aligned in development concepts … as well as a wide range of common interests,” Xi said, adding the ties are expected to be model in Sino-Africa relationships. Nyusi, who was on his first state visit to China, said he appreciated China’s support in the 1960s when his country was fighting for independence.

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After the talks between the two leaders, officials from China and Mozambique signed a series of cooperation agreements, ranging from culture and food aid to production capacity.

Deputy Foreign Minister Zhang Ming said elevating diplomatic ties would enable the two countries to increase mutual trust, and support each other on core interests and major issues.

China would offer support in national defence and maintaining social stability, and encourage more investment in Mozambique, Zhang said.

Our two countries are aligned in development concepts … as well as a wide range of common interestsPRESIDENT XI JINPING

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund said last month they would cut off financial aid to Mozambique after it was revealed to be hiding over US$1 billion in debt.

Zhang said China wanted to offer help, including new technology and funds – to “friends in difficult situations”, but emphasised that such help would be of mutual benefit.

Amid the debt crisis, the Mozambican government has vowed to build more infrastructure, including spending at least US$11.6 billion on railways, roads, bridges and airports. An additional US$2.2 billion is needed to pay for the maintenance and expansion of existing infrastructure.

China’s interests in Africa are broadening, with Beijing planning to open a logistics support centre in Djibouti.
China was Mozambique’s biggest bilateral creditor last year after increasing funding to the African country by 160 per cent since 2012.

Source: South China Morning Post