China welcomes Djibouti's participation in developing Maritime Silk Road

China welcomes Djibouti's participation in developing Beijing-proposed 21st-century Maritime Silk Road in proper ways, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Thursday.

Xi made the remarks at a meeting with his Djibouti counterpart, Ismail Omar Guelleh, prior to a summit on China-Africa cooperation in Johannesburg slated for Friday and Saturday.

China attaches great significance to its ties with Djibouti, said Xi, who also extended appreciation to the country in the Horn of Africa for its assistance to Chinese fleets conducting escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and Somalia waters, as well as its support for the Chinese side when China evacuated its citizens from Yemen earlier this year.

China stands ready to promote pragmatic cooperation with Djibouti in various areas and jointly set a good example for developing countries seeking win-win cooperation and common progress, Xi noted.

The Chinese leader suggested the two sides strengthen political mutual trust, keep close friendly exchanges in various levels, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in logistics, trade, special economic zones, railways, ports and other fields.

The Chinese side welcomes Djibouti's participation in developing the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road in proper ways, stated Xi. China, Xi said, is willing to work with Djibouti to strengthen cooperation to safeguard peace and stability and beef up communication and coordination on major international and regional matters.

For his part, Guelleh said his country is willing to take part in the development of China's "Belt and Road" initiative, adding Djibouti stands ready to cement cooperation with China in sectors including road construction, information technology and telecommunications.

Speaking highly of China's development of ties with Africa under the principles of mutual respect, equity and mutual benefit, he also expressed appreciation to the Chinese side for its strong support to African countries including Djibouti in developing infrastructure, regional integration and other areas.