Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mozambican President Daniel Chapo on Tuesday agreed to elevate bilateral relations to what Beijing described as a “China-Mozambique community with a shared future in the new era,” signaling a push to deepen political trust, trade and strategic cooperation between the two countries. The agreement was reached during talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where Xi hosted Chapo during his state visit to China.
In the official Chinese readout, Xi said China and Mozambique had built a strong record of mutual trust and support since establishing diplomatic relations, calling the relationship an example of China-Africa friendship and South-South cooperation. He said Beijing was prepared to use the outcomes of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, as well as the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, to expand cooperation and support what he described as the joint pursuit of modernization.
Xi said both countries should continue supporting each other on issues involving core interests and major concerns, while expanding exchanges between governments, political parties, legislatures and local authorities. He also pointed to broad scope for economic cooperation, saying China was ready to work with Mozambique on aligning development strategies and exploring new partnerships in infrastructure, energy, minerals, agriculture, new energy, the digital economy and artificial intelligence.
The Chinese leader also linked the relationship to wider global issues, saying China and African countries should strengthen coordination in the United Nations and other multilateral institutions and work together for what Beijing calls a more equal multipolar world. In remarks reported by Reuters, Xi said China was willing to work with African countries to address the spillover effects of the Middle East conflict, which he said were affecting the continent.
For his part, Chapo described China as a “true friend” that has consistently supported Mozambique and said Maputo attaches great importance to ties with Beijing. He reaffirmed Mozambique’s support for the one-China principle and said his government was ready to expand cooperation with China in trade, agriculture and energy. The two leaders later witnessed the signing of more than 20 cooperation documents covering Belt and Road cooperation, trade, health, people-to-people exchanges, media and implementation of the Global Security Initiative, according to the official Chinese statement.
The meeting also comes as China moves to broaden trade access for African exports. Reuters reported in February that China will begin granting zero-tariff treatment on 100% of tariff lines for imports from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to Beijing from May 1, 2026, a policy Chinese officials say will deepen economic engagement with the continent.
