Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Photo: VCG

 

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Eritrean Minister for Foreign Affairs Osman Saleh on Wednesday issued a joint statement on opposing hegemonic interferences in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of democracy and human rights.

Both sides agreed to uphold the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom for all mankind. China opposes unilateral sanctions on Eritrea and Eritrea reaffirms that the country firmly adheres to the one-China principle, the statement said.

On Wednesday, Wang held meeting with Osman Saleh and the country's President Isaias Afwerki on various bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest. 

The joint statement came after the US Treasury Department unilaterally announced on November 12, 2021 on its official website that it will impose sanctions on Eritrea's military and ruling party over the ongoing crisis in neighboring Ethiopia.

Eritrea called the sanctions a continuation of Washington's "misguided and hostile policy" and that they were based on false allegations, according to AFP.

"These unilateral sanctions, which shift blame to and scapegoat Eritrea on the basis of spurious allegations, are in contravention of international law, and constitute a flagrant breach of Eritrea's sovereignty," the Eritrean Ministry of Information said in a statement on November 13, 2021, calling the move "illicit and immoral."

The joint statement also said that both sides agreed to cooperate under the framework of the Strategic Partnership and Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and in various sectors of mutual interest.

Continuing the tradition of Chinese foreign ministers starting every new year with a visit to Africa, Wang will visit Kenya and the Comoros upon invitation after his trip in Eritrea. It is the 32nd consecutive time for Chinese foreign ministers to start their year-round overseas visits with a trip to Africa. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at regular press conference on December 30, 2021 that "As fellow developing countries, China and African countries are faced with the common task of safeguarding sovereignty, opposing hegemony and achieving development. We are not only comrades-in-arms in the fight against hegemonism, but also partners in pursuit of development and revitalization, and important forces defending international fairness and justice."