Chinese President Highlights Respect of State Sovereignty in Special Message to Museveni

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni met with visiting senior Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi who delivered a special message from Chinese President Xi Jingpin.

Yang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to Mr Museveni and congratulated him on winning re-election in the January 14 presidential election.

Yang said that with the personal care and promotion of the two heads of state, China-Uganda relations have developed smoothly.

"China attaches importance to Uganda's views on bilateral relations. China will work with Uganda to deepen political mutual trust, enhance the complementarity of development strategies, expand practical cooperation within the framework of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative and implementing the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and push the bilateral comprehensive cooperative partnership for the benefit of our countries and peoples," President Xi said in his message delivered by Mr Yang.

The special Chinese envoy added that China is ready to continue cooperation with Uganda in fighting the epidemic and jointly promote the building of a community of common health for mankind.

Yang said that China and Uganda have always supported each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns, and opposed interference in other countries' internal affairs in the name of human rights and democracy.

"China is willing to work with Uganda to firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations as the core and the international order based on international law," said Mr Yang.

On his part, President Museveni asked Yang to convey his sincere greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and thanked China for its selfless help in infrastructure construction, agriculture and anti-epidemic efforts for a long time, and appreciated the important positive role of China's experience in developing Africa's economy and improving people's livelihood on the continent.

"You have emphasized the importance of respect of the sovereignty of countries of the world and we appreciate that. That is exactly our stand. We have been telling some people that if you do not take your own stand, you are likely to make mistakes and there are very many examples," Mr Museveni said.

President Museveni said that Uganda attaches great importance to the traditional friendship between Uganda and China, welcomes China's expansion of investment in the country, expects more products to enter into the Chinese market, and is willing to work with China to build the Belt and Road Initiative with high quality, so as to promote greater development of the comprehensive cooperative partnership between Uganda and China.

Museveni also stressed that Uganda abides by the one-China principle, opposes foreign interference in China's internal affairs, and is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in international and regional affairs.

The president hailed China for its solidarity with Africa for more than 70 years now.

Yang also met with Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa and other cabinet members on Sunday.