The Union of Comoros and the People's Republic of China recently convened the third session of the Joint Commission on Economic, Commercial, and Technical Cooperation in Moroni. The meeting was co-chaired by Comorian Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary General Ambassador Imam Abdillah and Chinese Ministry of Commerce Deputy Director General Xu Zhanglu. This session follows the second meeting held in Beijing in June 2019 and marks a significant step in bilateral relations.
Ambassador Imam Abdillah welcomed the Chinese delegation and highlighted the progress made in cooperation between the two nations since their last meeting. He recalled that the two leaders, President Azali Assoumani and President Xi Jinping, elevated bilateral relations to a strategic partnership during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September 2023. This new level of partnership aims to translate political vision into tangible results.
The Comorian government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic, commercial, and technical cooperation with China. Ambassador Abdillah emphasized the need for constant engagement and expanded cooperation into new areas, particularly in the blue economy. With the Comoros having a vast maritime space of nearly 160,000 km², Abdillah expressed interest in collaborating with China in this sector, ensuring mutual benefits.
During the meeting, Ambassador Abdillah requested China's assistance in constructing the first highway connecting the north of Ngazidja to the south of the island. He argued that this infrastructure project would link the island's tourist zone to its productive zone, fostering economic growth. The Chinese delegation, led by Xu Zhanglu, expressed confidence in the future of cooperation between the two countries.
Xu Zhanglu stated that the two sides had productive discussions on topics of mutual interest. He highlighted the vast potential for economic and commercial cooperation between China and the Comoros. The two parties agreed to develop feasible projects, and Xu Zhanglu announced that the Comoros is invited to participate in the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) next year.
The Chinese delegation encouraged the Comoros to prepare bankable projects that could benefit from Chinese financial support. This invitation presents an opportunity for the Comoros to tap into China's resources for development. The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding of the importance of strengthened cooperation and the need for concrete actions to achieve their goals.
The third joint commission meeting between Comoros and China has demonstrated a shared commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation. Both parties acknowledged the potential for growth in various sectors and agreed to work together to achieve tangible results. The meeting's outcomes reflect the engagement of the two countries' leaders to elevate their partnership to a strategic level.
Key points
- - The Comoros and China have agreed to strengthen economic, commercial, and technical cooperation. - The two countries aim to develop feasible projects and explore new areas of cooperation, particularly in the blue economy. - The Comoros has been invited to participate in the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) next year.
