Image source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China
On January 15, 2024 local time, Tunisian President Kais Saied met with visiting Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia.
Kais Saied asked Wang Yi to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping, saying that he highly recognized President Xi Jinping's philosophy of state governance, highly appreciated China's great achievements in advancing the modernization drive, and spoke highly of the development of Tunisia-China relations over the past 60 years and the fruitful results of pragmatic cooperation. Although Tunisia and China are far apart, their friendship is strong and their people are close to each other. Kais Saied expressed thanks for China's long-term and valuable support in helping Tunisia achieve national development and improve people's livelihoods. Tunisia will continue to actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation, learn from China's successful experience, and promote modernization with Tunisian characteristics. Tunisia upholds the one-China principle, abides by UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, and supports China in exercising sovereignty over all its territory.
Wang Yi conveyed President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to President Kais Saied, saying that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Tunisia 60 years ago, bilateral relations have stood the test of an evolving international landscape, and have maintained sound and stable development. The most important experience is that the two countries have all long respected each other and treated each other as equals, based on which they trusted each other and carried out mutually beneficial cooperation. Not long ago, the two heads of state exchanged congratulatory messages, charting the course and providing strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations. China thanks Tunisia for its support on issues related to China's core interests and major concerns. China also firmly supports Tunisia in safeguarding sovereignty, independence and national dignity, exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and independently advancing the process of national reform. China stands ready to consolidate political mutual trust between the two sides, deepen cooperation in various fields, and accelerate respective development and revitalization.
Wang Yi said, the world today is afflicted with uncertainty and instability as well as rampant unilateralism, power politics and hegemonic acts. China opposes the imposition of one's own values on others, opposes the remodeling of other countries according to one's own standards, and opposes interference in internal affairs under the pretext of human rights and democracy. China is willing to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with Tunisia to jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping, to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all.
Kais Saied said that the history of colonialism cannot be repeated and the world cannot return to unipolar hegemony. Tunisia opposes double standards and interference in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of democracy and human rights. The series of important global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping demonstrate China's cultural heritage and global vision. Tunisia is willing to make joint efforts with China and other developing countries to uphold the common values of mankind, defend international fairness and justice, and build a community with a shared future.
The two sides also had an exchange of views on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
On the same day, Wang Yi held talks with Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar.
