The President of Benin's visit to China is aimed at "deepening cooperation" and "standing up" to refute the West, repeatedly praising China Achievement Times | China | Benin
On August 31st, President Talon of the Republic of Benin arrived in Beijing, starting a four-day state visit to China. During the visit, Talon will hold talks with Chinese leaders and attend the 2023 Global Service Trade Summit at the China International Fair for Trade in Services. Experts interviewed by Global Times believe that Talon's visit to China aims to strengthen cooperation with China and promote domestic development.
Benin's President Talon has arrived in Beijing and will conduct a four-day state visit to China. Image source CGTN
Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji will respectively meet with President Talon."I believe that President Talon's visit will inject new impetus into the deepening development of friendly cooperation in various fields between the two countries, and promote bilateral relations to a new level."
According to public reports, this visit to China is Talon's third visit since taking office in 2016. In September 2016, Talon, who had been in office for five months, embarked on his first visit to China during his tenure, attending the second Africa Investment Forum in Shanghai. In 2018, Talon went to China again to attend the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation. In his first two visits to China, Talon highly praised China's achievements in construction and development, and stated that he wanted to learn from China's successful experience of reform and opening up. According to Ghana News Network, the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations one year before this 5-year visit.
Professor Song Wei from the School of International Relations at Beijing Foreign Studies University analyzed to Global Times reporters that currently, Benin is facing an important task of developing a diversified economy. At the same time, there have been military coups or unrest in multiple countries in the West African region where it is located. For Benin, strengthening cooperation with China, especially the precise docking under the "the Belt and Road" framework, will help it achieve independent development, implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and strengthen its political and economic security.
Just a few days before Talon's visit to China, the 13th Benin China Commodity Exhibition opened at the China Economic and Trade Development Center in Benin. More than 40 Chinese exhibitors went to Benin to participate and inspect the local investment and business environment. At the previous 12 China Commodity Exhibitions, nearly 700 Chinese companies participated, and nearly 20000 merchants from West African countries went to purchase. With the help of Benin, batches of Chinese enterprises have gone global and rooted themselves in Africa. In April of this year, the China Benin Economic Forum was held in Beijing, and the President of the Benin Chamber of Commerce introduced various benefits for investing in Benin to Chinese economic professionals. He said, "Benin is a land full of investment opportunities and welcomes Chinese investors from afar."
It is worth noting that Talon once expressed admiration for the "Chinese model" and thus gained widespread public attention. "The Chinese model, self-reliance, and good governance should inspire all underdeveloped countries, because development can be achieved by every country." In March of this year, Talon said in an interview with a French media outlet, "It must be pointed out that China is already an undeniable force. China also has a great motivation for me." During this time, the French media host interrupted him, trying to smear and accuse China with the usual Western rhetoric, but was rebuked by Talon. After the interview program aired, Talon also posted the relevant content on social media and wrote, "I have the opportunity to clarify this issue with him.".
According to the website of France's New Silk Road Watch, Benin is one of the entrances to West Africa for China and an important partner of the the Belt and Road Initiative. China contributes to Benin's economic and social development through investment and cooperation in various fields. Benin has enormous potential in natural resources, infrastructure, and economic development, while China is a global leader in many key areas. The prospects for cooperation between both parties are bright. "The uniqueness here lies in the fact that it is a cooperation between southern countries, not based on paternalistic or any form of superiority, but on friendship, equality, respect, and common interests. It does not take into account political tendencies," said Mariam Dialo, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Benin, when discussing cooperation between Benin and China.
