Yu Zhengsheng Holds Talks with President of the National Assembly Guillaume Soro of Cote d'Ivoire
On April 14, 2016 local time, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Yu Zhengsheng, who was paying an official goodwill visit to Cote d'Ivoire, held talks in Abidjan with President of the National Assembly Guillaume Soro of Cote d'Ivoire.
Yu Zhengsheng firstly conveyed warm greetings from Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Zhang Dejiang to Guillaume Soro. Yu Zhengsheng said that in recent years, Cote d'Ivoire has made remarkable achievements in economic construction and maintained a medium-high growth rate, to which China extends its congratulations. China appreciates that National Assembly of Cote d'Ivoire attaches great importance to developing its relations with China and actively advances bilateral cooperation. The Chinese government and people strongly condemn the recent terrorist attack in Cote d'Ivoire.
Yu Zhensheng said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 33 years ago, China and Cote d'Ivoire have always respected each other with equality and shared mutual support on issues related with each other's core interests and major concerns. Both sides have been continuously deepening political mutual trust, and increasingly strengthening economic and trade cooperation, enhancing people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and maintaining communication and coordination in international affairs. China-Cote d'Ivoire relations are now at their historic best. Last December, President Xi Jinping announced to implement “10 major China-Africa cooperation plans” at the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which goes well with the key areas of the national development plan of Cote d'Ivoire from 2016 to 2020. China is willing to work with Cote d'Ivoire to take the opportunity of implementing the results of the Johannesburg Summit to push China-Cote d'Ivoire relations to a new level. The two sides should increase high-level exchanges, enhance political mutual trust and strengthen personnel exchanges at all fields and levels. China welcomes more members of National Assembly of Cote d'Ivoire to visit China. The two sides should also expand practical cooperation and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. China encourages Chinese enterprises to participate in port economy, modern agriculture and construction of ports and other large infrastructures in Cote d'Ivoire, and promote the development of Cote d'Ivoire's processing industries to realize the economic transition of Cote d'Ivoire. It is hoped that Cote d'Ivoire can create a favorable business environment to attract more Chinese enterprises, especially private enterprises, to invest and develop in the country. The Chinese side has decided to officially list Cote d'Ivoire as an overseas tourist destination country for traveling groups of Chinese citizens. The two sides should reinforce exchanges in people-to-people and cultural fields such as culture, education, media, women and youth, enhance cooperation in vocational training and extend cooperation in medical care and health. The two countries should also strengthen communication and conduct close coordination in major international and regional issues. Yu Zhengsheng introduced in detail China's policies and measures in developing consultative democracy, promoting industrial development, creating employment opportunities and other aspects. He expressed that the CPPCC stands ready to deepen friendly cooperation with the National Assembly of Cote d'Ivoire, strengthen exchanges on experience of state governance and development, and provide reference for each other to build a harmonious society and realize sustainable development.
Guillaume Soro said Cote d'Ivoire and China are good friends and partners. A friend in need is a friend indeed. He thanked Chairman Yu Zhengsheng for his visit to the country shortly after the terrorist attack, saying the visit showcases the sincere friendship between the two countries. Cote d'Ivoire is satisfied with the fruitful results of bilateral cooperation in various areas, and is looking forward to further enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation with China. Cote d'Ivoire appreciates China for listing it as a tourist destination country and is deeply inspired by this decision. Cote d'Ivoire admires China's development achievements and congratulates China on the successful “two sessions” (NPC and CPPCC) concluded not long ago and adopting the outline of the “13th Five Year Plan”. The National Assembly of Cote d'Ivoire is willing to further strengthen friendly exchanges with the CPPCC and legislative bodies to draw on China's successful experience in speeding up industrialization, reducing unemployment and other areas , so as to push forward bilateral practical cooperation for the benefits of the two peoples.
Before the talks, the Cote d'Ivoire side held a welcome ceremony, and members of the National Assembly ,and representatives from all walks of life warmly welcomed Yu Zhengsheng's visit to the country.
Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the CPPCC National Committee Zhang Qingli and Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee Liu Xiaofeng attended the talks.