Editor's note: President Xi Jinping continued his busy schedule on Wednesday as he held a series of bilateral meetings with foreign leaders who are in Beijing to attend the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Cooperation to deepen with Sierra Leone

China is willing to work with Sierra Leone to enhance synergistic development strategies and deepen cooperation in the areas of agriculture, infrastructure, resources and energy, President Xi Jinping said during his meeting with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio in Beijing.

Xi pledged to implement economic and livelihood projects to continuously improve people's well-being.

He called on the two countries to continue to firmly stand together on matters concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Sierra Leone under the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks, and promote unity and cooperation among countries in the Global South, Xi said. He added that China would like to work with Sierra Leone to advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and economic globalization that benefits all, and jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries in Africa and elsewhere.

Bio expressed his appreciation for Chinese economic development assistance, saying he hopes to further advance bilateral cooperation in agriculture, security and other fields. Sierra Leone highly appreciates the global initiatives proposed by Xi, which have made important contributions to promoting world peace and development, Bio said.

He thanked China for supporting Sierra Leone in fulfilling its duties as the rotating president of the UN Security Council last month, and expressed a willingness to strengthen international multilateral coordination with China.

Equatorial Guinea looks to expand collaboration

President Xi Jinping met with Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo on Wednesday, vowing to open up new prospects in the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries.

Xi said China and Equatorial Guinea are good friends enjoying a high level of political mutual trust, comprehensive pragmatic cooperation and profound people-to-people friendship.

In recent years, the two countries have advanced cooperation in various fields and collaborated closely with each other on international affairs, Xi said.

He said China hopes to work with Equatorial Guinea to consolidate mutual support, expand pragmatic cooperation and deepen cooperation in defense and security.

China is willing to assist the African country in diversifying its economy, so that the two countries will make progress together in their efforts toward modernization, Xi said.

China hopes to collaborate closely with Equatorial Guinea to ensure the success of the summit, Xi said.

Obiang said he immediately felt the sincere and friendly sentiments of the Chinese people toward the people of Equatorial Guinea and Africa upon his arrival in Beijing.

He said the theme of the summit is in line with African countries' aspirations for modernization, and he believes the summit will be a success.

Cooperation between Equatorial Guinea and China has yielded rich outcomes, Obiang said, adding that investment from Chinese companies has helped the African country take on a new look.

Tanzania to strengthen governance exchanges

President Xi Jinping met with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Beijing on Wednesday, calling on China and Tanzania to carry on their traditional friendship.

Noting that this year marks the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, Xi said China hopes to work with Tanzania to advance and deepen their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

The two countries should strengthen exchanges of their governance experience, enhance political and strategic mutual trust and deepen pragmatic cooperation that is mutually beneficial, he said.

China hopes to take the 2024 FOCAC Summit as an opportunity to promote the revitalization of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority railway, Xi said. It also hopes to engage in cooperation to improve the rail-sea intermodal transportation network in East Africa and make Tanzania an exemplar of deepened high-quality Belt and Road Initiative cooperation between China and Africa, Xi said.

Hassan said she was deeply impressed by her trip to China in 2022 and is pleased to visit China again. China has always implemented the outcomes of FOCAC summits in an active manner, Hassan said, adding that cooperation in that regard plays an important role in promoting African countries' socioeconomic development. China is a trustworthy and indispensable cooperative partner for Tanzania, Hassan said, adding that her country will actively promote BRI cooperation with China.

Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, also met with Hassan on Wednesday.

China, Zambia to build on friendly relationship

President Xi Jinping called on China and Zambia to work together to advance their respective modernization and usher in a new chapter of friendly China-Zambia relations, as he met visiting Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema in Beijing on Wednesday.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Xi highlighted the elevation of China-Zambia relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership last year. He said that mutual trust between the two countries has continued to deepen, and fruitful results have been achieved in mutually beneficial cooperation over the past year. He said China and Zambia need to continue to enhance exchanges at all levels, strengthen mutual learning, expand practical cooperation and bolster international collaboration.

Noting the summit comes at an opportune time, Hichilema said Africa admires the great achievements made by China, and hopes to learn from its successful experiences to bring more benefits to the African people.

He said he was pleased to witness with Xi a commitment to revitalize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority railway to continue the friendship built by previous generations of leaders of both countries and create a new channel for connectivity between Africa and China.

While pledging the country's firm commitment to the one-China principle, Hichilema said Zambia is willing to deepen all-around cooperation with China and welcome more Chinese companies to invest.

Zambia appreciates China's constructive role in promoting global peace and stability, and is ready to closely cooperate with China in multilateral affairs, he added.

Mozambique sees bright future as trust grows

China and Mozambique should act as good brothers trusting and supporting each other, good partners promoting mutually beneficial cooperation and shared development, and good friends standing together for mutual assistance and coordination, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

Xi made the remarks during the meeting with visiting Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi in Beijing. He highlighted the deepened mutual political trust and fruitful cooperation between the two countries in recent years, saying bilateral ties have ushered in a new and promising future.

China is willing to work with Mozambique to expand cooperation in infrastructure, energy and minerals, agriculture, the digital economy and other fields to support its industrialization and economic diversification, Xi said.

Nyusi reaffirmed his country's commitment to the one-China principle, and said that Mozambique supports China's positions on its core interests, such as the Taiwan question and the South China Sea, supports China's "one country, two systems" policy and opposes groundless accusations against China on issues like human rights.

He expressed the hope that the two countries will deepen cooperation in trade, agriculture, infrastructure connectivity, security and other areas.

Mozambique highly appreciates the global initiatives Xi has proposed and his major proposals for improving global governance, and is willing to enhance mutual support with China on multilateral issues to promote the establishment of a fairer and more rational international order, he added.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, also met with Nyusi on Wednesday.

Libya agrees to form strategic partnership

President Xi Jinping and the Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohammad Al-Manfi jointly announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and Libya on Wednesday as part of the countries' efforts to strengthen ties.

They made the announcement during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi pointed out that China and Libya have enjoyed a long-standing traditional friendship. Over the 46 years since they established diplomatic relations, the two countries have always supported and treated each other sincerely, he said.

No matter how the international landscape evolves, China remains unchanged in its support for Libya's stable development and the promotion of friendly cooperation with it, he said.

Xi expressed China's willingness to deepen mutual political trust with Libya and expand exchanges and cooperation to promote the long-term and steady development of bilateral ties.

China supports Libya in rebuilding its economy and improving people's livelihoods, Xi said. He expressed the hope that Libya will create a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises.

Al-Manfi said that China is very important to Libya in terms of peace and economic development.

He said that Libya is willing to strengthen economic, trade and investment cooperation with China within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Libya firmly upholds the one-China principle, he added, and will not change that position under any circumstances.

50-year China-Gabon friendship a 'role model'

China and Gabon should draw strength from their traditional friendship and firmly support each other, President Xi Jinping said in a meeting with Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema on Wednesday.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Gabon.

Xi noted that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries "have developed into a role model for China's relations with African nations and the vast number of developing countries".

China is willing to work with Gabon to build on their traditional friendship, seize the opportunities of the times and continue to create a brighter future for the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said.

Jointly implemented projects such as power grid upgrades and the construction of vocational education centers have been welcomed by the Gabonese people, Xi noted.

China is willing to deepen bilateral cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and the digital economy to help Gabon diversify and transform its economy, he said.

Nguema thanked Xi for inviting him to China to attend the 2024 FOCAC Summit and for the meeting with him.

Xi's actions fully reflected the friendship between the two peoples and the strong relations between the two countries, he said.

The two countries enjoy close ties in various fields, and China is Gabon's most important partner, contributing to Gabon's national development in many ways, he said. Nguema said he appreciated the support given by China to Gabon's political transition process, and said Gabon steadfastly upholds the one-China policy.

Ties with Cameroon elevated to new level

China pledged on Wednesday to advance cooperation with Cameroon in fields such as infrastructure, industrial development, connectivity, agriculture and healthcare to assist the African country's efforts in developing a diversified economy.

The commitment was made when President Xi Jinping met with visiting Cameroonian President Paul Biya in Beijing. The two heads of state also announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Xi said Biya's attendance at all the FOCAC summits held in Beijing showed the African leader's high regard for developing China-Africa cooperation as well as his profound friendship with China.

China is willing to work together with Cameroon for more substantive cooperation and bring the two countries' relationship to a higher level, he said. Xi also said China appreciates Cameroon's active participation in multilateral affairs and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Cameroon to jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Biya, who is making his eighth visit to China, said bilateral ties have maintained positive momentum over the years, and many Chinese-invested projects in Cameroon have greatly boosted his country's economic development. Cameroon welcomes more Chinese investment to help the country transform its advantages such as mineral resources into the driving force of development, he said.

Biya also said his country firmly adheres to the one-China principle, appreciates and supports the series of global initiatives proposed by Xi, and will strengthen multilateral coordination with China for world peace and international justice.

President ready to work more with Ethiopia

President Xi Jinping expressed China's readiness to expand pragmatic cooperation with Ethiopia on Wednesday, saying the nation supports it in leveraging its strengths as a regional transportation hub to build a rail-sea intermodal transportation network in East Africa and a demonstration area for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

He said China-Ethiopia relations have become a good example of friendship and cooperation between China and Africa, with a strong foundation of political mutual trust and the continuous advancement of high-standard cooperation in various fields between the two countries.

China is willing to deepen unity and cooperation with Ethiopia and further advance their all-weather strategic partnership in order to make greater contributions to promoting China-Africa friendship, Xi said.

Xi emphasized the unwavering support between China and Ethiopia in defending their core interests and jointly opposing external interference, and said that the two countries have forged an unbreakable friendship.

Abiy lauded China's policies toward Ethiopia as embodying equality and mutual respect, saying the two countries' relations are based on mutual benefit.

He acknowledged the significant contributions of Chinese investments and cooperation to his country's economic and social progress, and said that Ethiopia remains committed to firm mutual support with China.

Ethiopia looks forward to deepening cooperation with China in various fields, such as trade, infrastructure, industry, land-sea intermodal transportation and security, he said, adding it is ready to closely collaborate with China in international multilateral affairs.