On May 21, 2017, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdoulaye Diop of Mali in Bamako.

Wang Yi said that China and Mali are good friends and old friends, and bilateral friendship lasts more than half a century, and becomes even firmer as time goes by. At present, Mali is in the middle of a critical situation. China firmly supports Mali’s efforts in upholding its sovereignty, security and unity, staunchly backs its peace and reconciliation process, steadfastly supports the country to explore a development path suitable to its national situation, and firmly supports Mali’s just cause of opposing and fighting against terrorism. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has always spoken for Mali from a sense of justice on the international stage, stood up for Mali’s legitimate rights and interests, and is willing to reinforce coordination and cooperation with the Malian side in international affairs, so as to play an effective role in safeguarding the legitimate rights of Mali, African countries as well all developing countries.

Wang Yi said that China is a developing country though, yet China is willing to help Mali to accelerate its development and encourages Chinese enterprises to invest and establish business in Mali. In the next step, China hopes to, together with Mali, give full play to the unique advantage of the traditional friendly relations between the two countries, focus on helping Mali to level up its agricultural and industrial development, cultivate the three major security systems of infrastructure construction, human resource development, peace and security, help Mali establish its own industrial system step by step, reinforce its capability of independent development, and ultimately realize actual economic independence after realizing its political independence.

Abdoulaye Diop said that people of China and Mali always enjoy traditional friendship through thick and thin. Mali appreciates the significant assistance China has provided since the independence of Mali. The Malian side totally agrees with the notion of deepening bilateral development and cooperation proposed by the Chinese side and expressed its willingness to work with the Chinese side to reinforce the integration of development strategies, take the implementation of outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as an opportunity to constantly elevate the level of bilateral practical cooperation. The Malian side speaks highly of China’s role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and of China’s actions to keep speaking for Mali from a sense of justice on the international stage and of its support to Mali’s efforts to uphold its national unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The Malian side thanks China for sending troops to participate in the UN Peace-keeping mission in Mali. During the mission, the conscientious Chinese young peace-keeping soldiers devoted their valuable lives to Mali’s peace-keeping cause. Mali welcomes China to play a more significant role in international affairs, and praises China for supporting the righteous position of African countries on the reform of Security Council. The Malian side will firmly adhere to the Ezulwini consensus, and make efforts to correct the impartial history of African countries together with China and other African countries.

The two Foreign Ministers also exchanged views on international and regional topics of common interests.

After the meeting, the two Foreign Ministers jointly met with the press. Wang Yi also visited and paid condolence to the staff of Chinese Embassy in Mali, Chinese peace-keeping soldiers performing tasks in UN Peace-keeping mission in Mali, Chinese medical team and Chinese language teaching volunteers in Mali.