Xi Jinping Talks With President Talon Of Benin

On the afternoon of September 1, 2023, National President Xi Jinping held talks with President Talon of Benin, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People. The two heads of state announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and Belgium.

Xi Jinping pointed out that in recent years, the development momentum of China Belgium relations has been good, practical cooperation between the two countries has been solidly promoted, both sides understand and support each other on issues related to each other's core interests and major concerns, maintain good communication and coordination in multilateral settings, and the friendship between the two peoples is increasingly deeply rooted in people's hearts. China attaches great importance to the development of China Belgium relations and is willing to close exchanges at all levels with Belgium, deepen friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and continuously push China Belgium relations to a new level.

This paper expounds the essence of Chinese path to modernization, and emphasizes that China has embarked on a modernization road different from that of the West. The key is to always adhere to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics in line with China's national conditions. China supports Benin's independent exploration of a development path that is in line with its own reality, and the early realization of the vision of "Benin's rise". We are willing to strengthen exchanges of experience in governance and governance with Benin, share experiences in reform and development, firmly support each other, and achieve common development and revitalization. China encourages Chinese enterprises to invest and cooperate in Benin, and welcomes Benin to fully utilize large-scale exhibitions such as the Global Service Trade Summit and the China Africa Economic and Trade Expo to promote more distinctive and high-quality products to enter the Chinese market. China is willing to closely engage in cultural exchanges with the Belgian side, strengthen cooperation in education and training, medical and health care, and continue to support the joint construction of the Luban Workshop. Both sides also need to strengthen counter-terrorism security cooperation, closely coordinate international affairs, safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice, and maintain regional and world peace and development.

Xi Jinping pointed out that this year marks the 10th anniversary of my proposal of the concept of genuine, friendly, and sincere policies towards Africa. For the past 10 years, China has always treated its African friends with sincerity and sincerely provided support for Africa's development. China Africa cooperation has become a model of South-South cooperation and international cooperation with Africa. China supports Africa to become an important pole in the development of world politics, economy and civilization. China is willing to provide new opportunities for Africa with its new development, work with African brothers, including Benin, to implement the outcomes of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, promote the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" initiative, the global development initiative, the African Union's 2063 Agenda and the development strategies of African countries, and support Africa to achieve economic recovery and sustainable development, Jointly building a community with a shared future between China and Africa in the new era.

Talon stated that China is a great friend of Benin, and the two peoples have profound and sincere friendship. The high-quality cooperation and mutual benefit between Benin and China will effectively promote Benin's industrialization process and help Benin better achieve national development. Democracy should not have only one model, true democracy should benefit all people. In this regard, China has set a good example for other countries. Through its own efforts and struggles, China has not only achieved remarkable achievements and brought happiness to the Chinese people, but also provided valuable assistance and made important contributions to the development of other countries. Benin has benefited greatly from China's experience in governance and is willing to build a true strategic partnership with China, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and achieve national development and prosperity like China. The Benin side firmly pursues the one China policy, supports the global development initiative, global security initiative and global civilization initiative proposed by the Xi Jinping President, and is willing to work closely with China to actively promote the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of deepening the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road", green development, digital economy, agriculture and food, health and hygiene.

Both sides have issued a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Benin.

Before the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for Talon at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People.

When Talon arrived, the ceremonial soldiers lined up to pay tribute. The heads of state of the two countries boarded the review platform, the military band played the national anthems of China and Belgium, and 21 salutes were fired at Tiananmen Square. Accompanied by Xi Jinping , Talon reviewed the Chinese People's Liberation Army Honor Guard and watched the parade.

That evening, Xi Jinping held a welcome banquet for Talon in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wang Yi participated in the above activities.