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China cancels debts, wants improved ties with Benin Republic
By Tasie Theodore
China has partially cancelled some debts owed it by the West African nation of Benin and said that it wants improved ties with the country.
This position was made public during a state visit at the weekend by the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gin Gang, who visited Cotonou on the heels of the celebration of 50 years of cooperation between both countries and as part of measures to strengthen economic and industrial ties between the two countries.
“I am thinking for example of infrastructure, agriculture, human resources training, manufacturing and peace and security,” Qin reportedly stated
An MOU on the partial debt cancellation was also signed during the visit.
Analysts see the visit as a most significant one as Benin shares land borders with Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, Nigeria, and more so in the light of the coming into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AFCTA.
Alleging massive smuggling activities, Nigeria had previously shut its land borders with its neighbours.
President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic
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