Interview: China plays important role in promoting stability, development of Africa: Tunisian FM

China has played an important role in promoting the stability and economic development of African countries, Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui said Thursday.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency, Jhinaoui said China has developed cooperation with African countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefits.

Jhinaoui, who is on a five-day visit to China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, said China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has always been committed to promoting African stability and settling regional hotspot issues through political means.

Meanwhile, more and more Chinese enterprises have chosen to come to Africa, which “has created more job opportunities and brought prosperity to a number of African countries,” the foreign minister said.

He said Tunisia, which lies at the north point of the African continent, has not only rich experience in cooperation with other African countries, but also friendly cooperation with China in economy, trade, politics, education, culture and health.

“Tunisia can be a link between China and Africa,” Jhinaoui said.

Hailing China as an important cooperative partner of Tunisia, Jhinaoui said the two countries can further enhance political consultation on international and region issues, explore new areas of cooperation, integrate their development strategies, and promote cultural exchanges.

On the Belt and Road Initiative, Jhinaoui said Tunisia supports Belt and Road construction, and stands ready to be involved in the cooperation projects under the initiative.

“We would like to see more Chinese companies to come to Tunisia and implement more projects,” he said.

In February this year, Tunisia announced a visa exemption for Chinese citizens on the condition that they purchase a round-trip plane ticket and a valid hotel voucher for a period not exceeding 90 days.

This indicates Tunisia views China as an important market and welcomes more Chinese tourists to deepen mutual understanding, Jhinaoui said.

Xinhuanet

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