On May 20, 2017, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Praia with Minister of Foreign Affairs Lius Filipe Tavares of Cape Verde.

 

Wang Yi expressed that although China and Cape Verde are far from each other with different sizes, yet both countries always share mutual understanding, mutual trust and mutual support, and enjoy a brotherly friendship. Bilateral cooperation has enjoyed rapid development in recent years. China is willing to, together with Cape Verde, take the implementation of consensus reached by both leaders as a mainline and inject new impetus into bilateral cooperation through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, to convert bilateral friendly trust into outcomes of mutually beneficial cooperation. China is ready to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Cape Verde in such five major areas including fishery and marine economy, the development special economic zones, tourism service industry, infrastructure construction and human resource development, help the country give play to its advantages of geographical location and marine resources and forge a special economy for the island country, so as to achieve independent sustainable development.

 

Lius Filipe Tavares agreed with Wang Yi's comment about bilateral relations, and expressed that China is one of the most important cooperation partners of Cape Verde. The country has received strong support and assistance from China in its economic and social development since the independent of Cape Verde 41 years ago. Lius Filipe Tavares approved of Wang Yi's vision on bilateral cooperation in the future, saying it fully conforms to Cape Verde’s national development plan. The country especially hopes to become China's strategic cooperative partner in marine economy. The establishment of a special economic zone on the island of Sao Vicente is the first priority project of the current government. It is hope that China could share its experience on the construction of the special zone and actively participate in this project. Cape Verde welcomes and supports the "Belt and Road" initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and is willing to take the construction of the special economic zone in Sao Vicente as an opportunity to positively integrate into the "Belt and Road" construction. Cape Verde adheres to the one-China policy, values China's important role in international affairs, and appreciates China's support for the just demand of African countries in the reform of the UN Security Council. The country will stick to the common stance of the African Union, and maintain close communication and coordination with China on related issues.

 

Wang Yi expressed that Cape Verde is a natural extension of the "Belt and Road" initiative, especially the Maritime Silk Road. The Chinese side welcomes Cape Verde to give play to its advantages, and actively participate in the "Belt and Road" construction. Highly appreciating Cape Verde's support on issues regarding China's core interests and major concerns, China will continue to defend the legitimate rights and interests of Cape Verde and other developing countries including on the international stage.