President of the Republic of Angola Joao Lourenco will pay a state visit to China from March 14 to 17 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.
During the visit, President Xi will hold a welcome ceremony and banquet for President Lourenco. The two heads of state will hold talks and jointly attend a signing ceremony of cooperation documents, another foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular news briefing.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, will meet with President Lourenco respectively. The Angolan president will also visit Shandong Province, Wang said.
Noting both countries celebrated the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2023, Wang said China expects this visit to inject new impetus into the all-round and in-depth development of bilateral relations and push for new progress in their friendly cooperation.
With this visit, the two countries will have the chance to evaluate the effectiveness of existing agreements and plan new areas of investment, particularly involving the private sector.
During the three-day visit, the highlight will be a meeting with President Xi Jinping on the first day to discuss the future strategy of bilateral relations.
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João Lourenço’s vast program in China includes participation in a business forum, where the topic of investment in Angola will be at the centre of the debate.
With a stock valued at USD 18.4 billion, corresponding to 37.27 percent of Angola’s total external public debt (valued at around USD 49.3 billion until the third quarter of 2023), China remains Angola’s biggest creditor, despite the government’s efforts to reduce the debt with the ‘Asian giant.
In 2022, Angola regained its position as China’s second largest partner in Africa, which it lost in 2020. Trade between the two countries totaled more than USD 22 billion from January to November 2022. This volume represents an increase of over 26 percent compared to the same period last year, according to China’s ambassador to Angola, Gong Tao.
Chinese-built Infrastructure in Angola is “Source of Pride for the Country”
The Chinese diplomat emphasized that in 2022 Angolan exports to China were more diversified than in previous years, in addition to oil, the country exported coffee, fruit, metallic minerals and ornamental rocks.
According to figures, Chinese companies have built around 3,000 kilometres of railway in Angola, 20,000 kilometres of road, 100,000 social housing units, 100 schools, 50 hospitals and much more.
China has actively supported Angola’s development and provided assistance through various donation projects, such as CINFOTEC Huambo, the Luanda General Hospital, the Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centre in Mazozo and the Venâncio de Moura Diplomatic Academy”.
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