China, Djibouti pledge to strengthen relations, work together to solve international issues

Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on China and Djibouti to make full use of the benefits brought by China's zero-tariff policy, give full play to Djibouti's geographic location, and further deepen bilateral practical cooperation.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with Djibouti's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdoulkader Houssein Omar in Beijing on Wednesday.

China encourages its enterprises to invest and do business in the African country, Wang said.

Taking the construction of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway as an opportunity, China is ready to help Djibouti leverage the strengths of its integrated infrastructure network and support its efforts in building itself into a regional hub for trade, logistics, and connectivity, he said.

At present, the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East continue to spill over into the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region, the the longstanding as well as emerging tensions have posed new threats to the security of shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Wang noted.

China would like to work with various countries, including Djibouti, to strengthen communication and cooperation, ease tensions, and effectively safeguard regional peace and stability, he said.

Omar said that Djibouti appreciates China's contributions to promoting lasting world peace and is pleased to be a founding member of the International Organization for Mediation.

Djibouti stands ready to strengthen communication and dialogue with China on international issues as the two countries share a broad consensus on upholding the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and resolving disputes through peaceful means, he said.