14-09-2023
On November 7, the BPAFFC and Beijing NGO received a 17-person Sao Tome and Principe diplomat training class. This is the sixth diplomacy and protocol class for developing countries received by the BPAFFC and Beijing NGO this year. The largest island São Tomé is located on the equatorial edge of the central Atlantic Ocean and close to the prime meridian, exactly situated at the geographical center of the earth and the center of the Atlantic Ocean. Thus, the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe is known as the “Center of the World.”
Vice President Jiao Yutong welcomed the guests and introduced the basic situation of the BPAFFC and Beijing NGO. He said that in the current context, peace and stability are the shared expectations of the international community. China and Sao Tome and Principe stick to their respective path of modernization chosen by their people, and promote exchanges and practical cooperation in infrastructure construction, healthcare, agriculture, and other areas.
The delegation was led by Luís Guilherme, Ambassador of the Office of the President of Sao Tome and Principe. He shared what he saw and felt on the visit to Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Beijing. “China is an important partner of Sao Tome and Principe,” he said. “China has scored achievements that capture the attention of the world. I hope that the two countries could share resources and strengthen cooperation in infrastructure construction, economy and trade, cultural tourism, agriculture, ecological conservation and environment protection, and other areas, so that the benefits of development will reach all the people. ”
“I am deeply impressed by the tea fields in Zhejiang and the Great Wall and the Forbidden City in Beijing,” said Jukisia Dayssy, Advisor to the Office of the President of Sao Tome and Principe. "I hope more Chinese people could learn about our country and our local conditions and customs. ”
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to visit China. We welcome Chinese organizations and businesses to come to Sao Tome and Principe and look to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with you,” said Hilton, Advisor to the Government Protocol Department of the Autonomous Region of Príncipe.
Miriam Kercelene, First Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities of Sao Tome and Principe, said that the trip gave them a deeper understanding of China’s developments and was highly rewarding, hoping to get in touch with relevant institutions and organizations in China.
Manuel Ventura, Director of the Council Office of the Autonomous Region of Príncipe, said, "Sao Tome and Principe is rich in natural resources. We are close to nature and advocate the conservation of nature. We hope to forge practical and in-depth cooperative relations with Chinese organizations. ”
Jiao Yutong introduced to the guests China’s achievements in economic and social development since the start of reform and opening up, and shared Beijing’s concept of “achieving growth with reduced input.” He hoped that with the framework of the Silk Road people-to-people connectivity initiative, the two countries could jointly tap the potential of development in agriculture, ecological conservation and environment protection, and other fields and explore more possibilities of cooperation. “China has chosen the right direction and benefited from strong and coherent leadership. We believe that Sao Tome and Principe can also fully unleash your potential and make significant achievements.”
The Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Princip at a Glance
The Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Princip
is an island country located in the southeast of the Gulf of Guinea in Western and Central Africa, 201 kilometers away from the African continent.It consists of 14 islands and islets such as São Tomé, Príncipe, Rolas, and Caroço. Sao Tome and Principe lies off Gabon and Equatorial Guinea to the northeast across the sea. It covers an area of 1,001 square kilometers and has a coastline of 220 kilometers. The largest island São Tomé is located on the equatorial edge of the central Atlantic Ocean and close to the prime meridian, exactly situated at the geographical center of the earth and the center of the Atlantic Ocean. Thus, Sao Tome and Principe is known asthe “Center of the World.”
Sao Tome and Principe has a tropical rainforest climate, with an average annual rainfall of about 900mm. The country had a population of approximately 223,100 in 2021, and Bantu peoples account for 90% of the population. The official language is Portuguese. 90% of the habitants identify as Catholic. Sao Tome and Principe is composed of six districts and the Autonomous Region of Príncipe. The capital of the country is São Tomé, which has a population of about 71,000.
Sao Tome and Principe is one of the least developed countries and one of the countries that receive the higherst foreign aid per capita, with 90% of its development funds from foreign aid. In recent years, the government has actively sought foreign assistance from bilateral partners such as Portugal and multilateral partners such as the International Monetary Fund. At the same time, it has taken various measures to grow its economy, such as improving the investment environment, attracting foreign investment, building infrastructure such as roads, boosting tourism, and promoting offshore oil development.
Sao Tome and Principe is a member of the African Union, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Economic Community of Central African States, the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, and the International Organization of La Francophonie.
China and Sao Tome and Principe established diplomatic relations on July 12, 1975. On May 6, 1997, Sao Tome and Principe announced to establish diplomatic ties with Taiwan (China). On July 11, the Chinese government announced the suspension of diplomatic relations with Sao Tome and Principe and the suspension of all agreements between the two governments. On December 20, 2016, Sao Tome and Principe announced a decision to sever its "diplomatic" relationship with Taiwan (China). On December 26, China and Sao Tome and Principe signed a joint communique on the resumption of diplomatic relations, agreeing to restore diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level.
China resumed sending medical teams to Sao Tome and Principe in February 2017, and had sent 47 medical professionals in six batches to the country by November 2022. The two countries signed Memorandum of Understanding on Sao Tome and Principe Joining the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative on December 9, 2021. In 2022, Macao and Água Grande became friendship cities.
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