Eritrea and China have signed various cooperation agreements including a deal allowing the Asian giant to establish a military base in the horn of Africa country.
Eritrean Foreign Minister Saleh and the visiting China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed the agreement on Wednesday in the Eritrean capital, Asmara.
Asmara’s cooperation with China is expected to cement China’s foothold in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, Eritrean foreign ministry said in a statement.
During Yi’s visit, “both sides agreed to actively conduct practical cooperation, under the framework of the Strategic Partnership and Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, in various sectors of mutual interest,” reads the statement.
During the visit, Yi held bilateral talks with Eritrean Foreign Minister Saleh and President Isaias Afwerki, respectively.
“Both sides had in-depth exchanges of views on various bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest in a cordial and candid manner,” reads a joint statement the FMs issued.
It also says the two sides “are encouraged by the confirmation of further consolidation and development of the Strategic Partnership by the two Heads of State”.
Recently, Eritrea joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – President of China Xi Jinping’s trade and infrastructure development plan.
Eritrea and China also agreed to uphold the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom for all mankind”, and opposed “hegemonic interference in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of democracy and human rights”.
Beijing stands against any unilateral sanctions on Eritrea, while Asmara reaffirms adherence to the one-China principle, according to the joint statement.
MG/abj/APA