China, Sudan to establish strategic partnership: Xi

Chinese President Xi meets with his Sudanese counterpart, Omar al-Bashir at Great Hall of the People on Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China and Sudan will issue a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with his Sudanese counterpart, Omar al-Bashir, who is here to attend commemorations marking the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World War II.

China and Sudan have always understood and supported each other since they established diplomatic ties 56 years ago, with many achievements in their pragmatic cooperation, he said.

He described the two countries' joint statement on the strategic partnership as another milestone in the history of bilateral relations.

China values its friendship with Sudan and is willing to make concerted efforts with the African nation to continue promoting their strategic partnership, Xi said.

The Chinese president called on the two sides to consolidate mutual strategic trust and continue to support each other on issues of major concern.

China and Sudan should deepen cooperation in areas such as petroleum, infrastructure construction, agriculture, renewable energy, and technology, he said.

The two countries should also strengthen exchanges in culture, education, health, tourism and other fields, he said, adding that China is ready to continue to offer intellectual support for Sudan's economic and social development.

Al-Bashir said Sudan-China relations are based on a solid foundation and both sides have continued to promote pragmatic cooperation, bringing substantial benefits for the two peoples.

Sudan hopes to broaden areas of cooperation with China and applauds China's "Belt and Road" initiative, he said, adding that his country is willing to participate in relevant cooperation projects.

After the meeting, the two heads of state inked a joint statement on the establishment of the strategic partnership between China and Sudan, and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in the field of science and technology.

In the statement, Xi and al-Bashir spoke highly of the considerable development of bilateral relations over the past 56 years.

The establishment of the strategic partnership is in the common interest of the two countries and peoples and will benefit their efforts for development and prosperity, said the statement.

Within the framework of the strategic partnership, both sides should focus their cooperation on fields including politics, the economy, trade, energy, aerospace, the nuclear industry, investment, culture, military exchanges and security, it added.