Her Excellency Dr Huang Shifang, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China, presented her credentials to His Excellency Mr Dharambeer Gokhool G.C.S.K., President of the Republic of Mauritius, at the State House this afternoon.
She was accompanied by Mr Peiyi Ding, Minister Counsellor, Ms Lei Wang, Counsellor, Mr Jun Yang, Counsellor, as well as Ms Huizhu Chen, Head of the Political Section of the Chinese Embassy.
Diplomatic ties, which have existed since 1972 and which have since deepened via mutual trust and cooperation in various fields, notably economic, social and cultural, as well as prospects in the tourism sector, were reviewed. Conversations also centered on:
1) the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), a platform for dialogue and cooperation between China and African countries, particularly post the FOCAC Summit held in Beijing last year and which saw the participation of Mauritius, and
2) the Mauritius-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA),
with the aim of strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new trade and investment opportunities.
President Dharambeer Gokhool expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for the assistance provided to Mauritius in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and during the Wakashio oil spill, particularly cleanup efforts and discussions about the long-term impact of the disaster.
President Gokhool also reaffirmed Mauritius’ long-standing recognition of the One China Policy.