Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday met with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
Xi stressed that China supports Djibouti in pursuing a development path in line with its national conditions, and is ready to expand exchanges between governments, legislative bodies, political parties and local regions of the two countries.
Xi also called on the two countries to increase exchanges and mutual learning about governance and development experience, and step up people-to-people exchanges to solidify the popular and social foundation of the China-Djibouti friendship.
"We believe that the signing of cooperation documents on jointly building the Belt and Road will inject new impetus into the cooperation of the two countries," said Xi.
China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Djibouti on international and regional issues such as climate change, so as to better safeguard the common interests of the two sides as well as other developing countries, Xi said.
Guelleh said Djibouti is a trustworthy friend of China and the Djiboutian people have friendly feelings towards the Chinese people.
Noting the rapid development and fruitful outcomes of Djibouti-China ties, Guelleh expressed sincere gratitude for China's precious support and strong confidence in the vigorous Djibouti-China partnership.
While promoting economic diversification, Djibouti is willing to actively participate in the building of the Belt and Road so as to usher in a new era of Djibouti-China cooperation, said Guelleh.
After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.
