"China Is Our Important Partner" (High-Level Interview)

　　— Interview with Cape Verdean Prime Minister Silva

　　"We have established a solid cooperative relationship with China." Cape Verdean Prime Minister Silva, who came to China to attend the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, said in a recent interview with reporters that over the 48 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Cape Verde and China have always maintained friendly cooperation and mutual trust, achieving fruitful results in cooperation in fields such as trade and economy, infrastructure, health, and the marine economy. He looks forward to the two countries further strengthening the alignment of development strategies and pushing the bilateral strategic partnership to new heights.

　　Silva said that in recent years, Cape Verde and China have reached cooperation agreements on several important projects, including the planning and construction of the Special Maritime Economy Zone on São Vicente Island and the Safe City construction. At present, these projects are progressing smoothly. The Special Maritime Economy Zone on São Vicente Island focuses on the blue economy, and the "Plan for the Special Maritime Economy Zone on São Vicente Island of Cape Verde" was formulated with China's support.

　　In August this year, China and Cape Verde signed cooperation documents. "Among them, the third-phase technical assistance project for the Cape Verde National Stadium is one of the representative projects of friendly cooperation between Cape Verde and China." Silva said that in recent years, Chinese enterprises have actively participated in Cape Verde's infrastructure construction and digital transformation, making positive contributions to Cape Verde's economic and social development.

　　Silva previously came to China to attend the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. He stated that under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Africa and China have joined hands to inject more momentum into sustainable development. The 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation promotes the building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future and will create more favorable conditions for peace, security, and development in Africa.

　　"This is my seventh visit to China. I have been to Shanghai, Jinan, and other places. China's rapid development in urban construction, scientific and technological innovation, and other fields is amazing." Silva said that China's historic achievements in poverty reduction are particularly impressive. "Eradicating poverty is a common mission of humanity and a common aspiration of the African people. China's poverty reduction experience provides important reference for Cape Verde and other African countries."

　　Silva believes that in the process of African countries advancing industrialization, agricultural modernization, and digital transformation, many of China's successful experiences are worth learning. "Take Cape Verde as an example. In the agricultural field, we are full of interest in China's practice of developing agriculture in desertified areas and hope to learn from China's experience to achieve increased agricultural production and efficiency under conditions of limited soil and low precipitation. In the field of the digital economy, we look forward to establishing good partnerships with Chinese enterprises to advance digital transformation," Silva said.

　　"China is our important partner." Silva stated that Cape Verde and China enjoy a profound friendship, and bilateral relations are showing good momentum of development. "We look forward to attracting more Chinese investors to participate in the development of various fields in Cape Verde, including trade and economy, tourism, renewable energy, and digital transformation."