Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, DRC State Minister for Foreign Affairs Photo: Li Jieyi/GT

 "Mutual respect is the foundation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and China to conduct cooperation." Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, DRC state minister for Foreign Affairs, told the Global Times in a recent interview that the tangible impacts of the bilateral cooperation has driven development of infrastructure and other key sectors of DRC.

On the morning of September 2, President Xi Jinping met with President of the DRC Felix Tshisekedi, who is in China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing. This was the second time that President Tshisekedi visited China. 

When President Tshisekedi paid a state visit in May last year, the two heads of state jointly elevated the China-DRC relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, embarking on a new chapter of China-DRC relation.

In the eyes of Wagner, upgraded ties have brought DRC-China cooperation closer, leading to a series of successful collaborations in areas like infrastructure construction and energy. Efforts are also being made in other sectors, including agriculture. 

"The FOCAC has positive significance for the development of relations between Africa and China, same on helping strengthen the development of relations between the DRC and China," she said. 

In January 2021, the DRC signed a memorandum of understanding with China to jointly build the Belt and Road initiative, accelerating cooperation between the two countries. In the first half of 2024, the bilateral trade volume between China and the DRC reached $12.34 billion, and the DRC is China's largest investment destination in Africa.

From projects such as the completed Busanga hydropower plant and the Kinsuka Substation, as well as the recently launched Kinshasa's ring roads project, Wagner stated that the practical cooperation between the DRC and China has demonstrated how the Belt and Road initiative effectively supports infrastructure connectivity in the DRC, accelerates the movement of people and the flow of goods, and speeds up economic development, which is crucial for the country's future growth.

Wagner hopes her country will sign cooperation agreements with China in more areas and further promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment

China is accelerating the development of new quality productive forces. Significant potential for cooperation between China and Africa is lying ahead in emerging fields such as the digital economy and artificial intelligence. 

"Artificial intelligence is an important technological tool to leverage and accelerate development and prosperity in today's era," said Wagner. As China has made considerable progress in these emerging areas, she expressed her eagerness for the DRC to deepen exchanges and cooperation with China in these fields.

Similar historical experiences and a shared historical mission have closely connected China and Africa. Wagner said "The world cannot function without the other. It's very important to have a greater coordination of efforts and a more unified voice to convey messages."

As an important force of the "Global South," China and Africa have long maintained close cooperation in international affairs, jointly safeguarding the interests and development space of emerging market countries and developing nations, the minister said. 

Looking ahead, Wagner told the Global Times that both sides can further deepen exchanges in diplomatic and cultural areas, further learning from each other. "I aim to strengthen cooperation and seek common development with my Chinese friends."