China cancels DR Congo's debt

YAOUNDE, Cameroon

China on Wednesday announced the cancellation of the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) debts which were due by the end of last year.

The announcement was made during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi who is on a five-nation tour of the Africa continent.

In a tweet, the Congolese presidency said China has also provided financial support for development projects.

Other points relating to the management and impact of the coronavirus pandemic were also addressed during a meeting between the Chinese foreign minister and Congolese officials.

Congolese Foreign Minister Ntumba Nzenza welcomed the decisions taken at the meeting. "It is in times of difficulty that we recognize true friends and China is one of the friends of the DRC."

During his visit in Nigeria on Tuesday, Wang held a bilateral meeting with his Nigerian counterpart Geoffrey Onyeama in the capital Abuja to strengthen their existing cordial ties, according to a statement by the Nigerian Foreign Ministry.

Onyeama said China was of immense assistance to Nigeria at the start of the pandemic, noting that the donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) helped the nation fight COVID-19.

After DRC, Wang is expected to visit Botswana, Tanzania, and the Seychelles.