On the afternoon of September 2, 2024, President Xi Jinping met with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, who is in China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi Jinping pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than 30 years ago, China and Eritrea have always trusted and supported each other firmly. President Isaias Afwerki paid a state visit to China in May last year, during which positive progress was made in the important common understandings between the two heads of state. China appreciates Eritrea's adherence to an independent foreign policy, its efforts to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and dignity, and its strategic and long-term perspective for viewing China-Eritrea relations. China is ready to deepen political mutual trust, advance practical cooperation and achieve common development with Eritrea.

Xi Jinping stressed that China and Eritrea should be good brothers having a heart-to-heart affinity, good partners for mutual benefit and win-win results, and good friends for safeguarding fairness and justice. China is ready to strengthen exchanges at all levels and share state governance experience with Eritrea, leverage initiatives and institutional platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative, FOCAC and the "Initiative of Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa", deepen cooperation in energy, infrastructure and agriculture, and help with Eritrea's industrialization and agricultural modernization. China and Eritrea share similar views on many major international and regional issues. China is ready to maintain coordination and cooperation with Eritrea to better safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and work for a more just and equitable international order.

Noting that he first visited China 57 years ago, Isaias Afwerki said that over the past half century and more, he has witnessed firsthand China's great development achievements and transformative changes. China plays an important role in the world and has increasingly become a key force leading global governance reform. The Eritrea-China relationship is characterized by a long history, solid friendship, sound cooperation, and common understanding on many issues. Its cooperation with China is helping and will continue to help African countries achieve greater development, resist colonialism and hegemonism, and gain equality and dignity in the international community. Eritrea stays committed to the one-China policy and hopes to deepen cooperation with China in such fields as energy, infrastructure and maritime affairs. Africa-China cooperation plays a significant role in guiding international cooperation with Africa. Eritrea wishes the FOCAC summit a success and hopes it will help African countries overcome challenges and difficulties, gain more development opportunities, and achieve security, stability and sustainable development, so as to benefit all people in Africa.

During the summit, China and Eritrea will sign bilateral cooperation documents in agriculture, radio, television and other fields.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.