Editor's note: President Xi Jinping started holding bilateral meetings on Monday with foreign leaders who will attend the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which is scheduled in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday.

Ties with DR Congo will be enhanced

President Xi Jinping pledged on Monday to enhance bilateral cooperation in agriculture, mineral processing and vocational training with the Democratic Republic of Congo, and continue to help the African country turn its resource advantages into growth drivers.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi in Beijing.

Noting that China and DR Congo elevated their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in May 2023, Xi said that many consensuses reached at that time have been implemented.

Bilateral practical cooperation in various fields serves as a model for developing countries to jointly advance modernization, Xi added.

He said that China is willing to work with DR Congo to safeguard the common interests of developing nations and encourage Global South countries to seek peace and development in the face of major global changes.

Tshisekedi said he views China as DR Congo's top priority partner for cooperation, and hopes to learn from China's successful experience and continue to deepen friendship as well as practical cooperation with China in various fields.

FOCAC provides an important opportunity for African countries to realize their development dreams, Tshisekedi said, adding that he believes the 2024 FOCAC Summit will deliver successful outcomes and more tangible results to the African people.

Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang also met with Tshisekedi on Monday.