Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chinese Government,
Your Excellency Governor of Yunnan Province,
Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries,
Representatives of Yunnan Province,
Dear Colleagues,
Honorable audience,

It is both a great honour and pleasure for me to attend this important event of the 3rd China-South Asia Cooperation Forum under the theme of Mutual Assistance for Regional Shared Development. First please allow me to extend my scincere thanks on behalf of the Union of the Comoros to the organizers for inviting me, which is obviously a mark of consideration towards my country.

In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to renew, on behalf of my country, our gratitude and admiration towards the Chinese people and their leaders, first and foremost, His Excellency President Xi Jinping.

Comoros and China are celebrating the 47th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in this month of November. Allow me also to recognize the excellent  achievements gained in cooperation throughout this period. The development of relations between the two countries is based on friendship, equality, solidarity and mutual benefit. China has provided significant support to Comoros in areas such as infrastructure development, education and health, for which we are deeply grateful.

The organization of this high-profile Forum, bringing together senior government officials from each side, is also a clear indication of the Chinese authorities’ benevolent consideration of deepening the cooperative relations between China and South Asia.

The 3rd China-South Asia Cooperation Forum, which opened today under the theme of Mutual Assistance for Regional Shared Development, has been highly recognized and appreciated with the active participation of all parties, and has become an important platform for exchanges and communications. The destiny of our countries is closely linked and this platform strengthens the ties between China, South Asia and the Indian Ocean Rim countries.

Honorable Audience, Distinguished guests,

As you know, the Comoros archipelago is located in the Indian Ocean at the entrance to the Mozambique Channel between East Africa and North-West Madagascar. Thus, given its attractive geostrategical location, it intends to take an active part in strengthening this cooperation between China and South Asia. 

China, as an emerging economic power, offers development opportunities for South Asia and the Indian Ocean Rim countries to achieve win-win cooperation.The recently concluded 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is of great significance for China and the world, and will bring about greater progress in the development of China and the countries of South Asia. Today, the world is applauding China’s tremendous economic achievements, its tremendous record of poverty reduction and its successful fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

We highly appreciate China’s efforts and contributions to global economic recovery and international cooperation in the fight against the pandemic. China’s achievements in this decade are a great source of inspiration for developing countries, including African countries.

Yunnan is a major corridor and window for China’s opening to South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean Rim Countries. It is the closest Chinese province to the islands of the Indian Ocean, including the Comoros. Yunnan has unique advantages in terms of location and openness. Yunnan has beautiful landscapes and rich ethnic customs, while it has clear advantages in green energy, mineral resources, highland social agriculture and cultural tourism. We invite more Chinese entrepreneurs, especially those from Yunnan, to invest in Comoros and inject more new energy into the development of both sides.

At the same time, I am very happy to enjoy the beautiful flowers of Yunnan province, so much so that even while in Beijing, they make me personally nostalgic for this beautiful province. I look forward to the opportunity to visit Yunnan in person to establish practical cooperation between the two sides, so as to achieve complementary benefits and mutual gain.

Thus, I am delighted that all sides can further strengthen mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation through the China-South Asia Cooperation Forum, which is an important platform for communication and dialogue. We are ready to work hand in hand with all parties, exchange and learn from each other, and promote inclusive development in the region.        

Excellencies ,Honorable Members,

I hope that there will be more opportunities like this in the future to have even more in-depth exchanges on all these topics. I wish our work at the 3rd China-South Asia Cooperation Forum every success!

Thank you very much!