By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, March 30, GNA – China has reaffirmed its enduring partnership with Ghana, emphasising unwavering mutual support as its new Ambassador, Mr Cong Song, presented his Letters of Credence to President John Dramani Mahama.
Mr Cong also presented the Letters of Recall of his predecessor, Mr Tong Defa, at the Presidency in Accra on Monday.
He conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from Chinese President Xi Jinping to President Mahama and expressed the goodwill and friendship of the Chinese Government and people to Ghana.
The Ambassador congratulated President Mahama for his role in Africa’s submission to the United Nations General Assembly resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime in human history.
“This is a victory for Ghana, and this is a victory for Africa, and China supports that. China will always stand firmly together with our African friends to correct the historical injustice and uphold fairness and justice in the world,” he said.
Mr Cong noted that Ghana and China had enjoyed longstanding relations dating back to their founding leaders – President Kwame Nkrumah, Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai.
He said the bilateral relations had, over the past 65 years, withstood changes in the geopolitical and economic landscape.
“What has not changed and will not change is that China and Ghana will always firmly support each other on issues related to their core interests and major concerns,” he said.
The Ambassador said in recent years, under the leadership of President Mahama and President Xi Jinping, the China-Ghana strategic partnership had recorded strong growth.
He recalled President Mahama’s visit to China last year to attend the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women, during which both leaders held in-depth discussions and reached important consensus on bilateral and mutual issues.
He said the consensus had charted a new course for future relations between the two countries.
Mr Cong stated that China attached great importance to its relations with Ghana and stood ready to work together to implement the outcomes of the engagements between the two leaders.
He said political and mutual trust had deepened, while practical cooperation continued to expand.
The Ambassador commended Ghana’s achievements under President Mahama’s leadership, noting that bilateral trade had reached a record 14.1 billion dollars, representing a 19.3 per cent year-on-year growth.
He expressed China’s support for Ghana’s Reset Agenda, the Accra Initiative, and the 24-Hour Economy Policy, and encouraged Chinese enterprises to participate in Ghana’s industrialisation drive.
On cooperation in infrastructure and mining, Mr Cong said Ghana would be among the first African countries to benefit from China’s zero-tariff policy, which would further enhance trade relations.
He noted that the year marked the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and reaffirmed China’s commitment to high-quality development and openness.
Mr Cong expressed appreciation for his appointment and pledged to work diligently to strengthen cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
President Mahama congratulated Mr Cong on his appointment and reaffirmed the strong historical ties between Ghana and China.
He said the two countries valued their long-standing diplomatic relations and continued to hold them in high regard.
“I want to truly thank President Xi Jinping for his recent invitation to visit China and the bilateral talks that we had,” President Mahama said.
“I also thank him for the two grants – one for the establishment of the Aflao Market and the other for a university in the Savannah Region.”
The President noted that Ghana-China relations were rooted in the personal bonds between Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai.
Other envoys who presented their credentials were Madam Diarra Dime Labille, Ambassador of France; Mr Rui Orlando Ferreira de Ceita da Silva Xavier, Ambassador of Angola; Madam Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, High Commissioner of Namibia; and Madam Jacquiline Natepi Ben Lochalamoi, Ambassador of South Sudan.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba
