By Ndey Sowe
Ma Jianchung, the Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia and Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Gambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Friday 5 November, 2021 signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement that is worth 1.2 billion dalasi.
The agreement is meant for the implementation of the projects agreed between China and The Gambia.
“The signing of this agreement is a concrete measure to follow up the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, as well as another milestone for the economic and technological cooperation between China and The Gambia,” Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia Ma Jianchung said; adding that since the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and The Gambia in 2016, the two countries have signed five economic and technological cooperation agreements, and under these agreements, the Chinese Government has offered grants and aid to the Gambia, including the construction of the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center; the roads and bridges project in URR; agricultural and technical assistance and other projects.
“Currently, China-Gambia relation is developing solidly and steadily. China supports the Gambian Government’s endeavour in pushing forward to “build” the new Gambia,” Ma Jianchung disclosed; saying more high-quality projects will be initiated under the new agreement, which could effectively contribute to post-pandemic economic recovery and comprehensive social development of the Gambia.
“We are willing to strengthen the cooperation with the Gambia, and further promote bilateral, economic and technological cooperation, and write a new chapter to the friendship between China and the Gambia,” the Chinese Ambassador assured the gathering.
On his part, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Gambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the occasion was another indication that the shared excellent relations between the Gambia and China, will continue to flourish and grow.
Dr. Tangara assured Gambia’s support to the ‘one China’ policy and their commitment to the principles of equality, mutual benefit and respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
As a result of their relations that have developed over the years, Dr. Tangara said Gambia has benefitted in areas of education through the provision of scholarship and training programmes, agriculture, economic and trade cooperation through infrastructure development projects, culture, health and utility.
“We would like to make it very clear to our citizens that this Government that has the honour to lead would always respect and adhere to the ‘one-China’ policy. We believe as a matter of principle and respect for international law, that there is but ‘one-China,” Dr Tangara said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Tangara said Gambia on its own path, remain committed to supporting China’s partnership and leadership role on the global stage, as they look forward to more engagements during the upcoming FOCAC summit in Senegal.
