China will be Africa's all-weather friend: Xi

People-to-people ties

The Chinese president noted that the China-Africa traditional friendship, which is deeply rooted in the people of both sides, is an important foundation for bilateral relationship.

Only with active public participation can the China-Africa friendship  maintain its vigor and can the bilateral cooperation be consolidated continuously, he said.

The development of such relationship can enjoy wider and firmer public support only when the two-way cooperation continuously benefits people from both sides, he added.

Describing the cultural links as an important channel for peoples of different countries to increase mutual understanding and friendship, Xi called the people-to-people exchanges "an important pillar for the new type strategic partnership between China and Africa."

He said the China-Africa relations need both "hard backing" such as economic cooperation, and "soft propellant" like people-to-people ties which would provide cultural nutrition and spiritual impetus for the entire relationship.

Xi said that while he is glad to see the fast growth, enriched content, diversified forms and concrete achievements of the cultural ties between the two sides, there is still much room for improvement to meet the expectations of the peoples from both sides.

He called for building more platforms for direct contacts between Chinese and African peoples, and providing more information sources for mutual understanding, so that the bilateral friendship could be ingrained in the hearts of both peoples and pass on to the future generations.

To make his point, Xi praised the heroic action of three Chinese nationals who saved 12 of their Congolese neighbors, including 5 children, when Brazzaville was hit by floodings last December.

The story demonstrates that the people-to-people ties and exchanges are the fundamental basis for building the new type China-Africa strategic partnership, he said.

Xi said that given the legislature's prominent role in national politics, the inter-parliamentary exchanges between China and the Republic of Congo and the direct contacts between their lawmakers constitute a key part of the overall bilateral relationship, and an important channel for the two peoples to enhance mutual understanding and friendship.

He expressed the hope the legislatures from both countries will maintain the good momentum of friendly exchanges and sincere cooperation, and that the Congolese lawmakers in presence will make their contributions to the bilateral ties.

The Chinese leader, who will conclude his visit to the Republic of Congo on Saturday, said that he will carry home the happy memories of the visit to the country, including the smiles and sincere words of the Congolese people.

He said he will always keep his current Africa trip in his memories and believes the China-Africa friendship will last forever just like the unceasing flows of the Yangtze and Congo Rivers.