A Treasured Friendship

Foreign Minister Basile Ikouébé of the Republic of Congo (third right) at the inauguration ceremony of the Friendship School on July 22, 2012. Xinhua

A Bond of 50 Years

This year marks 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the Republic of Congo, which was among the first African countries to establish this bond. The friendship between the two countries has stood the test of time and grown stronger. The Republic of Congo donated US $1 million towards reconstruction work after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, and the Chinese government has long been supportive of the Republic of Congo’s economic development: Chinese companies are currently involved in the construction of a 500-kilometer-long national highway in the central African country, which will connect Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. In March 2012, there was an explosion at a factory in Brazzaville that inflicted losses of life and property. Shortly after this tragedy, China signed an agreement with the Republic Congo to help rebuild damaged neighborhoods.

“This is true friendship; we can’t wait until we’re rich to help others,” said Daniel Owassa, Ambassador of the Republic of Congo to China. He called the two countries “friends in need,” as their partnership started at a time when both countries were less developed. Bilateral ties were based on sincerity from the very beginning, he concluded.