Xi exchanges congratulations with Cameroonian President Biya on 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties

Cameroonian National Assembly House Speaker Cavaye Yeguie Djibril (C) and Minister of External Relations Lejeune Mbella Mbella (2nd L, Front), accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Cameroon Wang Yingwu (Center R) visit the construction site of the country's new National Assembly building in Yaounde, Cameroon, on March 23, 2021. (Photo by Jean Pierre Kepseu/Xinhua)

BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday exchanged congratulations with Cameroonian President Paul Biya on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In his message, Xi said that over the past half a century since the establishment of their diplomatic ties, China and Cameroon have been standing side by side through thick and thin, and the traditional friendship between the two countries has grown stronger with time.

In recent years, the friendly cooperative relations between the two countries have enjoyed a strong momentum of development with deepening political mutual trust and fruitful results in practical cooperation, Xi said.

The two countries have understood and supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and have coordinated closely in international and regional affairs, he noted.

Medical workers stand beside China-donated medical equipment in Yaounde, Cameroon, on March 15, 2021. (Xinhua/Qiao Benxiao)

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, China has been working with Cameroon and other African countries to help and support each other in fighting the epidemic, which demonstrated the brotherly friendship between China and Africa that shares weal and woe, Xi said.

Xi emphasized that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Cameroon relations.

He expressed the willingness to work with Biya to take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and enhance their joint efforts to build the Belt and Road, so as to benefit the two countries and peoples and to make positive contributions to forging a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.

In his message, Biya said for a long time, with the efforts of the heads of state of the two countries, the friendly cooperative relations between Cameroon and China, which are mutually-beneficial and win-win, have been fruitful and continuously consolidated.

A Chinese ophthalmologist from the 19th Chinese medical mission (2nd L) and a Cameroonian doctor diagnose, in Yaounde, capital of Cameroon, Oct. 22, 2019. (Photo by Jean Pierre Kepseu/Xinhua)

The fruits of cooperation between the two countries have made great contributions to enhancing the Cameroonian people's well-being and helping Cameroon achieve national modernization, Biya said.

Noting the Chinese leadership is far-sighted and the Chinese people are diligent and brave, the Cameroonian president said China has become a significant force on the international stage.

What is even more encouraging is that China has been attaching importance to South-South cooperation and supporting African countries in achieving development and vitalization, Biya said.

On the occasion of grand celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Biya said he wishes Cameroon-China cooperation becoming closer with a broader prospect to better benefit the two peoples.