President Barrow with Delegation at the FOCAC Talks
By Buba Gagigo
In a statement released by the State House, President Adama Barrow, who is currently participating in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in China, expressed that Africa has no reason to doubt the People’s Republic of China’s dedication to supporting the continent’s strategic development goals.
The State House shared that President Barrow made these comments during a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. This meeting took place on the sidelines of FOCAC 2024.
“The Gambian leader commended the ten-point Action Plan announced by President Xi Jinping during his opening remarks at the 4th FOCAC Summit in Beijing. He also mentioned that the partnership with the PRC has grown to a strategic level, providing projects that impact the lives of Gambians. President Barrow pledged his Government’s commitment to the partnerships with the PRC based on mutual benefit and to advance the One China policy,” the statement read.
Additionally, the State House noted that H.E. Cai Qi reaffirmed China’s readiness to collaborate with The Gambia on the implementation of FOCAC’s three-year Action Points for 2025-2027. He also commended The Gambia’s consistent support of China’s One China Policy.
“He spoke highly of the bilateral ties with the Barrow administration and The Gambia’s support for global initiatives to promote development and justice for all. He urged President Barrow, as Chairman of the OIC, to enhance collaboration on international peace and justice. H.E. Cai Qi also promised to support The Gambia’s development agenda to advance agriculture, health, and infrastructure development within the framework of the ten-point Action Plan of FOCAC during a banquet in honour of President Barrow,” the statement concluded.