With his sights set on the future of China–Africa relations, President Xi Jinping met on Tuesday with Mozambique’s Prime Minister, Maria Benvinda Levi, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. More than a bilateral encounter, the meeting underscored China’s broader diplomatic message: Africa remains a strategic partner at the heart of China’s vision for global development.
Reaffirming Africa’s priority in Beijing’s foreign policy, Xi described the 50-year friendship between China and Mozambique as “a solid alliance built on mutual trust and cooperation for development.” The Chinese president pledged to “continue working closely with Mozambique to strengthen strategic coordination and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation,” expressing confidence that “the next fifty years will be even more memorable.”
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Xi reiterated China’s firm support for African nations pursuing independent development paths tailored to their national realities. He called for stronger ties between governments, political parties, and parliaments, and greater exchanges on governance and leadership. Xi also urged both sides to build on the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) by expanding collaboration in energy, mining, and infrastructure. He further announced the creation of a Chinese Cultural Center in Mozambique to strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
The Chinese leader framed the partnership within his broader vision for a fairer global governance system. “China will work with Mozambique to implement the Global Governance Initiative, oppose unilateralism and hegemonism, and defend the common interests of both nations and the Global South,” Xi stated, underscoring Africa’s vital place in China’s approach to multilateralism.
Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Levi praised Xi’s remarks at the World Leaders’ Meeting on Women and lauded China’s role in promoting gender equality and sustainable development. “China is a reliable and valuable partner for Mozambique,” she said, reaffirming her government’s adherence to the one-China principle. Levi also expressed Mozambique’s interest in deepening cooperation with China across key sectors including trade, energy, mining, science, and education. She voiced strong support for China’s four major Global Initiatives — on Development, Security, Civilization, and Governance — acknowledging Beijing’s contributions to global stability and prosperity.
The meeting, attended by Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, reflects a defining feature of Xi Jinping’s diplomacy: a sustained commitment to building an equitable partnership with Africa, grounded in solidarity, mutual respect, and shared growth.
