Mozambique and China reaffirm priorities

Agriculture and natural resources were chosen as priority areas for boosting cooperation between Mozambique and China at a meeting between President Nyusi and the chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s 13th National People’s Congress, Li Zhanshu, in Maputo yesterday.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation José Pacheco said the meeting was an opportunity for the two leaders to review political and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He explained that Li Zanshu’s visit was more specifically part of cooperation between the Mozambique assembly and its Chinese counterpart aimed at improving the institutional capacity of the Mozambican parliament.According to Pacheco, no new investment or political or diplomatic initiative was announced, but the Chinese leader reaffirmed his country’s interest in continuing to finance some ongoing projects, such as the rice production programme in the Lower Limpopo Regiment in Gaza.

The Chinese commitment to financing Xai-Xai airport heavy sands exploration in Chibuto, both in Gaza province, was also reaffirmed.“Li Zanshu formally invited the president to the next China-Africa summit in September. The invitation was accepted and we are now starting to prepare the participation of the Mozambican delegation, which should take with it investment possibilities in areas such as agriculture, energy, tourism and infrastructure,” Pacheco added.In the country since last Saturday, the Chinese MP paid a visit to the Mozambique-China Agricultural Technology Transfer and Research Centre in Boane, and presided over the launch of a satellite television project which is expected to benefit 500 villages at an investment cost of US$3.8 million.