China welcomes President Akufo-Addo with 'Oye' song

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on Saturday with visiting Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the two leaders agreed to introduce a new vitality into bilateral relations.

President Akufo-Addo is on a state visit to China. He will also participate in the 2018 Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum scheduled for 3-4 September.

Noting the long tradition of Sino-Ghanaian friendship, Xi said China has always regarded Ghana as a reliable friend and a good common development partner. Bilateral relations have played a leading role in the development of Sino-African relations.

Both sides should breathe new life into their relationships and enrich them further, make high-level visits more frequent and continue to understand and support each other, Xi said.

Ghana is invited to participate in the construction of the belt and the road and to join the Asian Investment Bank for Infrastructure.

China is ready to create synergy between the two countries' development strategies, expand cooperation in various fields and strengthen interpersonal and cultural exchanges.

Both sides should strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional affairs to better protect the common interests of both countries and developing countries, Xi said.

For his part, Akufo-Addo said that the friendship between Ghana and China, forged by the oldest generations of leaders of both countries, was unbreakable. Ghana voted in favor of the resumption of the seat of the People's Republic of China at the United Nations and the one-China policy.

Akufo-Addo said that Ghana is ready to deepen bilateral relations, to participate actively in the construction of the Belt and its roads and to give new impetus to bilateral cooperation. China, along the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, plays an important role in peace and development in the world. China offers an important opportunity for stability and revitalization of Africa, he said.

Ghana will always be China's trusted friend in Africa, Akufo-Addo said. After the talks, the two presidents attended the signing of cooperation documents.

Meanwhile, the Chinese police band surprised President Akufo-Addo with a musical treat by playing one of his favourite songs 'Oye' -  [God is good].

credit: Xinhua