China, Togo elevate relations to community with shared future for new era

Ask AI 1minChinese President Xi Jinping (R) met with President of the Council of the Togolese Republic Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé in Beijing, capital of China, October 13, 2026.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Council of the Togolese Republic Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé announced on Tuesday that the two countries would elevate bilateral relations to a China-Togo community with a shared future for the new era.

The announcement came during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi said China and Togo share compatible visions for friendship and cooperation and enjoy broad prospects ahead.

He added that both sides should further enhance exchanges between political parties and at all levels of government, deepen experience-sharing on governance, and firmly support each other on major concerns and core interests.

The zero-tariff measure represents an institutional arrangement by China to bolster Africa’s independent development and empower China-Africa cooperation through institutional opening-up. China welcomes Togo to fully leverage zero-tariff treatment and the “green lane” for Togolese exports to China, Xi said.

Xi stressed that China commends Togo for advancing the expanded cross-border use of the renminbi and stands ready to deepen cooperation with Togo in new energy, digital and intelligent sectors to boost Togo’s industrialisation drive.

President Xi put forward four principles for constructive international engagement in resolving hotspot issues in Africa.

They include adhering to the principle of “Africa-led,” safeguarding fairness and justice, pursuing peace through cessation of hostilities, and addressing both symptoms and root causes.

Gnassingbé said his visit to China allowed him to witness firsthand the remarkable achievements of the Chinese path to modernisation under the leadership of President Xi. 

He highlighted that 2027 marks 55 years of bilateral diplomatic ties. And Togo hopes to learn from China’s governance experience, welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in the country, and seeks cooperation with China in trade, infrastructure development, science and technology and other fields. 

Togo will strengthen multilateral collaboration with China to defend multilateralism and uphold the interests of developing countries, he added.