Togo’s President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and expanding economic cooperation between the two countries. The meeting comes ahead of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Togo, which is set to be commemorated next year.
During the talks, Xi encouraged both nations to enhance exchanges at various levels, share governance experiences, and support each other on key national interests and concerns. He highlighted China’s commitment to facilitating market access for Togolese products, emphasizing the availability of China’s zero-tariff treatment and “green lanes” designed to expedite the entry of African goods into the Chinese market. Xi further encouraged Togo to leverage its position as a regional trade and logistics hub to increase the variety and volume of its exports.
Xi also expressed appreciation for Togo’s efforts to expand the cross-border use of the Chinese currency, the renminbi, and signaled China’s readiness to deepen cooperation in areas such as new energy, digital, and smart technologies aimed at supporting Togo’s industrialization agenda.
Gnassingbe affirmed Togo’s alignment with the principles proposed by Xi, particularly in defending multilateralism and advancing the interests of developing countries amid global challenges. He praised China’s role in promoting world peace and stability and expressed Togo’s willingness to intensify mutual trust, dialogue, and cooperation with China.
The Togolese president also reflected on his visit to several Chinese provinces prior to arriving in Beijing, including Shaanxi and Fujian. He noted the impressive results of China’s modernization efforts and the preservation of its traditional culture, which provided him with a deeper understanding of the country’s governance approach and the factors underpinning its development.
The leaders’ discussions underscore a mutual intent to build a more robust partnership, underscoring economic, technological, and diplomatic dimensions. Both sides appear committed to continuing collaboration in addressing global issues while fostering development that benefits their respective populations and other developing countries.