Beijing, Kampala move even closer on 60th anniversary

China-Uganda ties have been growing "from strength to strength "over the past decades and will continue to flourish in future, officials said on Thursday, as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Oliver Wonekha, Uganda's ambassador to China, said during a webinar celebrating the anniversary that this year marks "an important milestone in the history of the relations between China and Uganda".

"History has repeatedly testified that Uganda and China are good friends who stand by each other's side through thick and thin," she said. "The 60 years of friendship have seen the cordial relations between our two countries grow from strength to strength with tangible achievements to show for it."

The journey of friendship enjoys a long history. Nine days after Uganda gained its independence on Oct 18,1962, China established diplomatic ties with the East African country.

China has become one of Uganda's largest sources of foreign direct investment in major sectors that include infrastructure, construction, manufacturing and trade, Wonekha said.

Trade volume between the two countries last year amounted to $1.07 billion, registering a 28.5 percent increase, according to official figures.

Zhang Lizhong, China's ambassador to Uganda, said the two countries have been journeying on a path toward development and revitalization amid complex global challenges over the past 60 years.

"China and Uganda have forged unbreakable fraternity ... and have embarked on a distinct path of cooperation in our journey toward development and revitalization," he said.

Encouraged by the Belt and Road Initiative, cooperation between the two countries has seen fruitful results, including a series of infrastructure projects, delivering tangible benefits to the locals.

In the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries have supported each other, with the Chinese government having provided three batches of personal protective equipment and medical supplies, as well as 1.6 million vaccine doses to Uganda, Zhang said.

Jiang Jiang, vice-president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries that is one of the organizers of the webinar, called on China and Uganda to deepen their cooperation in infrastructure, digital innovation and green development in the future.

zhaoruinan@chinadaily.com.cn