Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined a set of key principles aimed at promoting constructive engagement in resolving conflict and instability in Africa during a meeting on Tuesday with Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, president of the Council of the Togolese Republic. Gnassingbé is currently on an eight-day official visit to China that extends through Friday.

In their discussions held in Beijing, the two leaders agreed to elevate bilateral ties, framing China-Togo relations as a community with a shared future for the new era. Xi emphasized that the people of Africa are the primary stakeholders in the continent’s affairs and should hold a central role in addressing regional challenges.

Xi detailed several guiding principles for all parties involved in settling hot-spot issues in Africa. He stressed the importance of upholding fairness and justice, and called for adherence to the purposes and principles outlined in the United Nations Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of affected nations. He cautioned against reliance on wars and unilateral sanctions, stating that such measures fail to resolve conflicts effectively.

Instead, Xi advocated for mutual respect, broad consultations, and efforts to seek common ground while shelving differences. He highlighted the necessity of mutual understanding and accommodation to foster durable peace. Furthermore, he pointed to the need to address both immediate security concerns and the underlying root causes of instability, urging a balanced approach that combines short-term responses with long-term developmental planning.

The meeting reinforced China's commitment to supporting African countries in peace and development efforts while promoting multilateral cooperation and respect for international norms. The discussions also reflected China's broader diplomatic strategy of deepening ties with African nations and enhancing collaboration on global and regional issues.