Beijing, 3 Mar (Zhongxin Net) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin presided over a regular news conference on 22 March.
A reporter asked: It is reported that Angolan President Lourenzo was recently interviewed by Japanese media (Asahi Shimbun) during his visit to Japan. Japan is concerned about China's large presence and rising influence in Africa. President Lourenço responded that he did not understand why Japan was concerned about China's presence in Africa, and that international cooperation should welcome the participation of every country and should not follow the law of exclusivity. What is China's comment on this?
Wang Wenbin: China has noted relevant reports. China and African countries have achieved fruitful results in friendly cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win results. As an important strategic partner of China in Africa, Angola has become China's second largest trading partner and important investment destination in Africa.
In 2022, the bilateral trade volume between China and Angola reached US$273.4 billion, a year-on-year increase of 16.3%. Among them, China exported US$40.9 billion to Angola, an increase of 65%, and imported US$232.5 billion from Angola, an increase of 10.6%. China's stock of direct investment in Angola exceeds US$27.200 billion. In addition, Chinese enterprises have invested more than US$55 billion in Angolan oil exploration and development, and paid more than US$<>.<> billion in taxes to the Angolan government. In recent years, Chinese enterprises have invested rapidly in the construction of An'an Industrial Park, agriculture and fishery, communications, daily chemicals and other fields, which has played an important role in enhancing An's ability to enhance its independent and sustainable development ability and promote employment. Whether China's presence in Africa is good or not, the leaders and people of African countries, including Angola, have the most right to speak.
Africa is a continent full of hope, and the vast number of African countries are on the road of development and revitalization, and they need the strong support and solidarity and cooperation of the international community. China has repeatedly stressed that Africa is a big stage for international cooperation, not an arena for big power games, and that all parties in the international community should complement each other and interact benignly with each other. China's cooperation with Africa has never been closed and exclusive, and China will continue to uphold the concept of sincerity and sincerity and the correct concept of righteousness and interests to strengthen cooperation with Africa, and is willing to work with the international community to inject more positive energy into promoting peace and development in Africa. (End)