Why did the supreme leader choose these five countries for his first visit in 2018？
On July 19th, the Supreme Leader of president arrived in Abu Dhabi by special plane and began a state visit to the United Arab Emirates. Vice President and Prime Minister Mohammed of the United Arab Emirates held a welcoming ceremony for the supreme leader at the airport. The Supreme Leader and his wife, Peng Liyuan, accompanied by Vice President and Prime Minister Mohammed of the United Arab Emirates and Crown Prince Mohammed of Abu Dhabi, went to the review hall. Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xueren photo
From 19th, the Chairman of the Supreme Leader paid a state visit to the United Arab Emirates, Senegal, Rwanda and South Africa, attended the 10th meeting of BRICS leaders in Johannesburg, South Africa, transited Mauritius and paid a goodwill visit.
This trip to Asia and Africa is the first visit of the Supreme Leader since his re-election to president, which is of great significance. Why did you choose these five countries for your first visit this year?
Promote the construction of the "Belt and Road" in the Gulf region
The "Desert Flower" United Arab Emirates by the Gulf is the first stop of the Supreme Leader’s trip to Asia and Africa, and the first Arab country he visited after being re-elected in president, China.
Why is the UAE so valued?
Regarding the relationship between the two countries, the Supreme Leader summed it up in a signed article published by the UAE media: "The two countries have similar development concepts, the same policy goals, and increasingly tight cooperation ties. They have become sincere friends with complementary advantages in development and construction, and important partners in communicating and coordinating international and regional affairs."
"Sincere friends" and "important partners" are not polite words, and they are all confirmed by solid cooperation results:
The UAE is the first Gulf country to establish a strategic partnership with China.
China has been the largest trading partner of UAE for many years, while UAE is the second largest trading partner and largest export market of China in West Asia, North Africa.
The UAE is one of the first countries to respond to the Belt and Road Initiative and a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
From the establishment of the mechanism of China-Arab Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee to the realization of mutual visa exemption for citizens of the two countries, from the establishment of the China-UAE joint investment fund to the initiation of the direct transaction of RMB to the UAE dirham, this "friend" and "partner" relationship is by no means limited to a few fields such as energy, but almost fully blossomed.
You come and I go, affectionate and righteous. The previous cooperation has been so solid. I believe that during President Supreme Leader’s visit, the two sides will hopefully achieve a series of important achievements in the fields of building the Belt and Road, capacity cooperation, energy, agriculture, finance, customs, scientific research and humanities. This visit will not only further enhance the level of relations between China and the United Arab Emirates, but also greatly promote the construction of the "Belt and Road" in the Gulf region and promote peace and stability in the Middle East.
Promote the construction of a closer community of destiny between China and Africa.
People who are concerned about China’s diplomacy must have found that this year is a great year for China-Africa cooperation.
Why do you say that?
Africa has always been the "foundation among foundations" of China’s diplomacy. On his first visit this year, the Supreme Leader chose four African countries, which is bound to set off an upsurge in China-Africa relations, which is enough to show that China-Africa relations are unusual this year.
One of the four main activities of China’s diplomacy this year is the upcoming China-Africa Cooperation Forum Summit in Beijing in September. This visit is to "gather more consensus and further sing the theme of China-Africa friendship before the summit".
Visits, summits, and various cooperation achievements reached during the period are bound to make the "Great Year of China-Africa Cooperation" come to the fore.
Of course, there are specific considerations when choosing to visit Senegal, Rwanda, South Africa and Mauritius:
In 2016, China-Serbia relations were upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership. At present, China is Senegal’s second largest trading partner and the largest source of financing.
China is Rwanda’s largest trading partner, and China has provided valuable assistance and support in the process of its reconstruction and industrialization. It is worth noting that in 2018, Rwanda served as the rotating presidency of the African Union.
South Africa is China’s largest trading partner in Africa. The two countries have established a comprehensive strategic partnership, and 2018 coincides with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa.
China is Mauritius’s largest trading partner, and Mauritius is not only the first African country to start free trade negotiations with China, but also the only African country to make the Spring Festival in China a legal holiday.
At present, China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, political exchanges, security cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and international cooperation have achieved a lot. Especially in the economic and trade field, China is Africa’s largest trading partner. The data shows that the trade volume between China and Africa reached US$ 170 billion in 2017.
"China and Africa will always be good friends, good partners and good brothers." Over the years, the top leaders have always attached great importance to Africa and are committed to promoting the common development of China and Africa. This visit is bound to inject strong momentum into China-Africa cooperation and build a community of destiny.
Inject new impetus into BRICS cooperation
This year is the first year of the second "Golden Decade" of BRICS cooperation, and it is also the sixth consecutive time that the Chairman of the Supreme Leader attended or presided over the meeting of BRICS leaders.
Obviously, in this visit, BRICS cooperation is an important issue. China’s efforts in promoting BRICS cooperation have been obvious to all. From proposing the construction of four partnerships among BRICS countries to promoting the establishment of a "three-wheel-driven" BRICS cooperation framework in economy, politics and humanities, China’s guiding force for BRICS cooperation has been continuously improved. Before the meeting in Joburg, China proposed the establishment of the "BRICS New Industrial Revolution Partnership", which was positively responded by all parties concerned.
Today, the "weight" of the BRICS is heavier and the "color" is more sufficient. Cooperation among BRICS countries is more pragmatic, economic and trade exchanges are increasingly close, and people-to-people exchanges are in full swing. In the past 10 years, the economic aggregate of the BRICS countries has increased by 179%, contributing more than 50% to the world economic growth.
At present, trade protectionism and unilateralism are on the rise, and global economic development is facing uncertainty. The world’s expectations for the BRICS countries are rising. During this meeting, what are the latest statements made by China and other BRICS countries on "jointly safeguarding multilateralism and the multilateral trading system with the WTO as the core, and clearly opposing unilateralism and protectionism" will attract much attention.
State visits, BRICS meetings and friendly visits in transit show that during this trip to Asia and Africa, the top leaders will inject new impetus into the participation of visiting countries and the world in building the "Belt and Road" and seek common development, and at the same time send a positive signal to the international community to deepen BRICS cooperation.
