Yu Zhengsheng Attends Reception Marking 45th Anniversary Of China—Equatorial Guinea Diplomatic Relations

On April 29， the CPAFFC held a reception in Beijing to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Equatorial Guinea. Yu Zhengsheng， Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference （CPPCC） and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo， President of Equatorial Guinea， spoke on the occasion.

Among the audience of some 150 were Abdul’ahat Abdulrixit， former Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and President of the Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association； Li Xiaolin， CPAFFC President； Li Bin， Minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission； representatives from the CPPCC National Committee， the Ministry of Foreign Affairs， Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Culture， as well as representatives of teachers and students from the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School， the Equatorial Guinean delegation and diplomats of the Equatorial Guinean Embassy in China.

Yu Zhengsheng said bilateral relations had seen a healthy and smooth development. The two sides held identical or broadly similar views on major international and regional affairs and support each other in multilateral events.

Yu cited the example of the 2008 catastrophic earthquake in Wenchuan， Sichuan Province， when Equatorial Guinea had donated aid of one million euros， equivalent to one euro for every Equatorial Guinean citizen. This fully reflected the profound friendly sentiments of the Equatorial Guinean Government and people towards the Chinese counterparts.

This time， President Obiang had announced his country would donate funds for a primary school in Jinping County， Yunnan Province. To express its gratitude， the Chinese side would name the school “China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School”.

Yu said that， over the years China had rendered assistance within its power to Equatorial Guinea. Chinese medical teams had provided medical services to local people and Chinese enterprises had undertaken many construction tasks in the country. In turn， they had received care from the Equatorial Guinean Government and people， for which the Chinese side was most grateful.

At present， China faced a daunting task of developing itself and ensuring a bright future. The people of Equatorial Guinea were also working hard to build a strong emerging country. “I believe that through mutual cooperation， mutual support and mutual assistance， we will definitely reach our respective goals of development and bringing more benefit to the people of our two countries.”

Obiang， on behalf of the Equatorial Guinean Government and people， expressed his gratitude to the Chinese side for hosting such a grand reception to celebrate the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations. Though Equatorial Guinea and China were far apart geographically， the hearts of our two peoples were always closely linked. In the past 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations， Equatorial Guinea-China friendship had never faltered.

“Our two countries have always supported and helped each other， and our peoples have treated each other sincerely. Due to the sincere help from the Chinese people， the economic development of Equatorial Guinea is among the best in Africa， for which we express profound appreciation. China has helped Equatorial Guinea not only to develop its economy， but also train a large number of qualified personnel much needed in its development. Forty-five years’ relationship has made our two peoples understand and trust each other， and become true friends.”

He expressed the hope that the two countries would deepen their friendship， further their cooperation and promote new vitality to better benefit the people.

The President went on to say that， for a long time， many Chinese enterprises had taken part in Equatorial Guinea’s economic development and rendered support and assistance to its national construction. The Equatorial Guinea-China Economic Forum would be held in Dalian the following day and he hoped it would encourage more Chinese enterprises to take part in his country’s construction to promote the implementation of the Long-Term Plan for 2020 Economic and Social Development which aims to achieve the country’s industrialization so that Equatorial Guinea will end its dependence on Western countries and become a self-sufficient emerging country.

Equatorial Guinea had excellent investment environment and high return on investment and he hoped more Chinese companies would make investment in the country. To encourage this， the government would simplify formalities and provide convenience for Chinese enterprises.

At the reception， pupils from China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School staged a performance of song and dance with rich minority ethnic cultural features.