The Chinese government believes that the upcoming state visit to China by President Daniel Chapo will help deepen the strategic partnership with Mozambique, highlighting the high level of bilateral relations between the two nations.
“It is believed that this visit will promote the deepening of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Mozambique and contribute to building a strong China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, while strengthening solidarity and cooperation in the Global South,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun.
Speaking on Tuesday (April 14) at a press conference in Beijing, the official emphasized that China and Mozambique have enjoyed a long-standing friendship spanning more than half a century since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
“Amid a constantly changing international landscape, Sino-Mozambican friendship has continued to strengthen. Currently, mutual political trust between the two countries is deepening, with fruitful results in cooperation across various sectors,” Guo Jiakun added.
The head of state will begin a seven-day state visit to China on Thursday, April 16. This will be Daniel Chapo’s first visit to the Asian country, with meetings scheduled with President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Visits to the provinces of Hunan and Qinghai are also planned.
Last year, the Chinese government forgave interest on loans granted to Mozambique up to 2024 and announced a donation of 12 million USD (765 million meticais) to support development projects in the country. Mozambican Prime Minister Benvida Levi confirmed the information following a two-day visit to China.
“We received two positive announcements from President Xi Jinping: one was the donation of 12 million dollars to our country, and the other was the forgiveness of interest on loans granted to Mozambique up to 2024,” she said.
By the end of the first half of the year, debt to China accounted for 15% of Mozambique’s total external debt, which stood at 9.8 billion USD (619 billion meticais), highlighting the significant role of the Asian country in national finances.
During the same period, Mozambique recorded no disbursements or debt service payments to Portugal, whose outstanding debt stood at 380.7 million USD (24 billion meticais). Among bilateral creditors, only Japan had a higher figure, at 405.5 million USD (25.6 billion meticais) at the end of June.
In February, during a Council of Ministers session, the government urged the private sector to maximize and capitalize on exports to China after the country announced that, starting May 1, it will grant full tariff exemptions on imports from 53 African states.
“This is a window of opportunity that we must all seize, along with many other opportunities available to Mozambicans and beyond,” said government spokesperson Inocêncio Impissa.
President Xi Jinping announced that China will remove all import tariffs applied to the 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, effective May 1.
According to Inocêncio Impissa, the government welcomed the decision, emphasizing Mozambique’s historic relationship with China and the mutual economic and trade benefits built over the years. Authorities urged local businesses to take full advantage of the new opening.
“What we can recommend is that companies and entrepreneurs—particularly those engaged in export trade—make the most of this opportunity to expand their businesses,” he concluded.
Source: Diário Económico
