Visiting president of the Horn of Africa nation – where Beijing has a military base – says he considers himself ‘a great friend of China’s’
China vowed to establish a strategic partnership with Djibouti, the site of its first overseas military base, as leaders of the two countries signed an agreement on Thursday for Beijing to provide an undisclosed amount of loans to the Horn of Africa nation.
The framework pact for preferential loans was signed during Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh’s three-day visit to China, where he met President Xi Jinping after being greeted with a military parade and flag-waving children.
From rail and airports to its first overseas naval base, China zeroes in on tiny Djibouti
Both leaders reiterated their commitment to deepened ties and cooperation, as they emphasised Djibouti’s location at a strategic choke point near the Red Sea, en route to the important maritime artery that is the Suez Canal.
Xi said China supported Djibouti to play a bigger role in regional and international affairs, and would provide medical assistance to the nation, state-run CCTV quoted him as saying.
“China pays high regard to its relationship with Djibouti,” Xi said.
Guelleh, who has been in power since 1999, said he considered himself a “great friend of China’s” and could not count the number of times he had visited.
“Djibouti is known for being a country of peace, exchanges and meetings,” Guelleh said.
“I would like to recall the geostrategic position of Djibouti and its importance in this part of the world as an island of stability for Asia, Africa and the Middle East.”
Xi urges troops at China’s first overseas base to help promote peace and boost country’s image
Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong told reporters that Xi and Guelleh also discussed China’s first overseas military base in Djibouti, which opened officially on August 1.
