1st LD-Writethru: President Xi calls for further cooperation with Chad, Africa

President Xi Jinping met with Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno on Saturday, calling for further China-Chad and China-Africa cooperation.

Deby, on behalf of the African Union, was invited to attend the 11th G20 summit in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou.

China supports Africa's positive contribution to global governance and world economic growth, Xi said.

Noting that China and Chad have seen all-round, rapid development of ties in recent years, Xi said China is willing to work with Chad to further advance their friendly cooperative relations and bring more benefits to their peoples.

He called on the two sides to understand and support each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns.

Energy cooperation should play a major role in Sino-Chadian collaboration, the Chinese president said, adding that China encourages its businesses to invest in Chad to help the country develop its own capability for independent and sustainable growth.

He also highlighted the importance of peace and security, pledging to help Chad with its capacity building in national defense, peacekeeping, and stability.

Unity and cooperation between China and African countries are a long-term and firm strategic choice for China, Xi said, noting China will continue to act on the principles of sincerity, practical results, affinity and good faith, adopt the right approach to upholding justice, and carry out the ten major plans of China-Africa cooperation.

Efforts will be made to synchronize China's own development with its support for the development of Africa, to help speed up Africa's industrialization and agricultural modernization, and ensure win-win cooperation and common development, he said.

China supports the African Union's important role in Africa's development and integration, and in regional and international affairs, Xi continued.

For his part, Deby appreciated China's constant support for Africa and its win-win and reciprocal cooperation with the continent, as well as its efforts to lead the G20 mechanism to assist in Africa's development.

The relationship between Africa and China, which features mutual understanding and mutual support, is a model for Africa's external relations, he said.

Deby said Chad is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in fields of renewable energy, mineral resources, trade, people's livelihood, healthcare, among others. Endi