Approved by the CPC Central Committee, Shen Xiaoming, member of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, led a CPC delegation to visit Madagascar between December 4 and 6, 2024. The trip aimed to promote the implementation of the important consensus reached by the heads of state of China and Madagascar and the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). It sought to deepen experience engagement; expand cooperation with Madagascar; and, facilitate intensive development of the China-Madagascar comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

On December 6, Secretary Shen Xiaoming and his entourage held talks with Madagascan President Andry Nirina Rajoelina. The two sides believed that China and Madagascar are good friends with sincere mutual trust and good partners for mutual benefit and win-win results. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, bilateral relations have maintained a momentum of healthy and steady development, setting an example for China-Africa friendship and South-South cooperation. It is necessary to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of China and Madagascar, strengthen inter-party exchanges, actively share experience on governance, promote practical cooperation in various fields, and advance the continuous development of the China-Madagascar comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

On December 6, Secretary Shen Xiaoming held talks with Madagascan President Andry Nirina Rajoelina.

During the visit, Secretary Shen Xiaoming and his entourage also held talks with Madagascan Prime Minister Christian Ntsay, Madagascan Foreign Minister Rafaravavitafika Rasata, MAPAR Vice President and National Assembly Vice President Augustin Andriamananoro, and relevant officials of the Government of Madagascar. Secretary Shen gave a briefing on the glorious history of the Communist Party of China and shared the successful experience of China's economic and social development. The Madagascan side admired China's tremendous achievements in development, thanked China for its support and assistance, and hoped to further strengthen cooperation and exchanges in agriculture, transportation, education, culture, and tourism, creating a new situation for bilateral cooperation.

On December 5, Secretary Shen Xiaoming held talks with Madagascan Foreign Minister Rafaravavitafika Rasata. 

On December 4, Secretary Shen Xiaoming held talks with MAPAR Vice President and National Assembly Vice President Augustin Andriamananoro, and relevant officials of the Government of Madagascar. 

On December 5, the Chinese Embassy in Madagascar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar, the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, and the Hunan Provincial People’s Government jointly held the "China Day of Hunan" event in Antananarivo. In his keynote speech, Shen Xiaoming remarked that although China and Madagascar are separated by oceans, the peoples of the two countries enjoy a long history of exchanges and understanding. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China has undergone earth-shaking changes. Secretary Shen added that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has led us to make historic achievements and changes in various undertakings. The great achievements are fundamentally owing to the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the sound guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Secretary Shen noted that China's development is also an opportunity for the world, which will certainly bring new benefits to African countries, including Madagascar, in promoting modernization. Madagascar boasts important geographical position, abundant resources, beautiful scenery, and its people are hardworking, brave, and generous. China and Madagascar have great potential and broad prospects for further deepening mutually beneficial cooperation. Hunan is willing to deepen practical cooperation with Madagascar in various fields to achieve common development.

On December 5, the “China Day of Hunan” event was held in Antananarivo.

Madagascan Foreign Minister Rafaravavitafika Rasata noted that China is one of Madagascar's extremely important strategic partners. The theme of this year's "China Day" event is "Visiting Hunan". The event not only showcased Hunan's rich cultural and economic resources, but also demonstrated the deep friendship and fruitful cooperation between Madagascar and China. She hoped that this event will be an opportunity to further deepen exchanges and cooperation between Madagascar and China, build a stronger and mutually beneficial partnership, and bring benefit to the two peoples. 

The unveiling ceremony of the China-Madagascar Hybrid Rice "Belt and Road" Joint Laboratory, the listing ceremony of China Animal Husbandry (Madagascar) Co., Ltd., the unveiling ceremony of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medicine Center (Madagascar), the unveiling ceremony of Hunan Geology Africa Workstation, and the donation ceremony of agricultural equipment between Hunan and Madagascar were also held on site.

On December 4, Shen Xiaoming and his entourage visited the Rova of Antananarivo, or the Queen’s Palace in Madagascar. 

During their stay in Madagascar, the delegation also visited the Rova of Antananarivo, or the Queen’s Palace to learn about the protection of Madagascar's historical and cultural heritage, and had a work exchange with the Chinese Ambassador to Madagascar Ji Ping.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn