President Kaïs Saïed received Thursday May 15 at the Palais de Carthage Li Shulei, an influential member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party and Minister of Communication, currently on an official visit to Tunisia until May 17.
According to an official press release from the presidency, this meeting is a continuation of the strategic partnership concluded during the visit of the Head of State in Beijing in May 2024.
During this interview, the president underlined the depth of historical and cultural ties uniting Tunisia and China, recalling the richness of trade and intellectual exchanges between the two civilizations. He highlighted the crucial importance of the infrastructure projects supported by Sino-Tunisian cooperation, including the Medical City of Aghlabides in Kairouan, the bridges of Bizerte and Djerba, as well as the extension of the Tunis-Carthage International Airport. A rail line connecting north to the south of the country is also among the flagship projects.
President Saïed also insisted on the strategic value of the Chinese initiative “the belt and the road”, perceived as a unique opportunity for Tunisian economic development, offering a model of cooperation based on mutual respect and sovereignty.
On the geopolitical level, Kaïs Saïed reaffirmed the constant position of Tunisia in support of the Palestinian cause, firmly condemning the Israeli violations in Gaza, and confirming the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to an independent state with Jerusalem for capital.
In conclusion of the meeting, Kaïs Saïed reiterated his invitation to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for an official visit to Tunisia, diplomatic gesture symbolizing the desire to further strengthen bilateral relations.
