The 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit set to be convened in Beijing in September will kick-start new heights of China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnerships, Tunisian Ambassador to China Dhia Khaled says.
Dhia hailed the Summit as a “historic meeting”, saying it will create opportunities for China and African countries to deepen their cooperation, promote development and increase mutual understanding.
He added that the Forum will usher in a new future of Sino-African cooperation in economy and trade, culture, education and science & technology.
“I call on African countries to make full use of the summit to strive for the well-being of the people of both China and Africa,” Khaled said.
The Tunisian envoy expressed his hope that the Summit will help expand China’s investment in Africa, also speaking highly of the development of relations between China and African countries under the principle of mutual respect, equal cooperation and mutual benefit.
In July this year, China and Tunisia signed a memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative.
Khaled said his country had placed great attention on the initiative, and is ready to actively participate in the building of the Belt and Road.
He hailed China’s reform and opening-up policy, saying the policy has contributed to the country’s development and its cooperation with other countries, especially with Arab and African countries.
Khaled also noted that China is the fourth largest trade partner of Tunisia, which has also become an increasingly popular destination for Chinese tourists.
In 2017, Tunisia began to offer visa-free entry to Chinese tourists and the number of Chinese tourists rocketed to around 20,000 that year, 12,000 more than in 2016, Khaled said, noting that Tunisia expects to receive 30,000 to 35,000 Chinese tourists this year.
“We are capable of and are willing to have more Chinese tourists visit our country,” Khaled said. “Tunisia values cooperation with China in tourism and looks forward to a higher level of cooperation.”
