"China and Mozambique are two brotherly countries," said Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, expressing that Mozambique is willing to further strengthen ties with China through the promotion of political, economic, social and cultural exchanges. The statement was made in an exclusive interview recently granted to Xinhua News Agency in Maputo, prior to his state visit to China.

The Head of State emphasised that several infrastructure projects developed in co-operation with China, such as the Maputo-Katembe Bridge, the Maputo Ring Road, Maputo International Airport and the Inhaca Island Pier Bridge, have produced remarkable results in Mozambique's socio-economic development.

Referring to Mozambique's economic structure, which relies heavily on extractive industries and natural gas, Chapo expressed the intention to deepen strategic co-operation with China in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, industrialisation and digitalisation, within the framework of South-South co-operation and the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Mozambican President highlighted that China's vision of South-South co-operation is based on the principles of equality and mutual support, aiming to achieve mutual benefits and reciprocal gains, noting that this co-operation model possesses unique advantages in the international geopolitical context, contributing to the promotion of security and peace, as well as economic and social development.

(Source: Xinhua Português, on 17 April)