Zhao Long, secretary of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, met with Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, president of the Council of the Togolese Republic, on Oct 11 in Xiamen, Fujian province.

This year marks the 54th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Togo. Zhao welcomed Gnassingbe and briefed him on Fujian's economic and social development.

Zhao said Fujian is deepening reform, expanding high-level opening-up, and pursuing high-quality development. Despite the geographical distance, Fujian and Togo have developed closer ties, with a solid foundation and broad prospects for cooperation.

He hoped that the visit would advance the consensus reached by the two countries' leaders and expand cooperation in investment, trade, marine affairs, and cultural exchanges, strengthening closer bilateral relations.

Gnassingbe thanked Fujian for its warm welcome and said he was impressed by the development and achievements he saw during his return to Fujian and Xiamen after many years.

Togo values its traditional friendship with China and supports Xiamen's bid to host the secretariat of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), Gnassingbe said. He expressed hope for closer practical cooperation in marine affairs, trade and investment.

Wang Min, China's ambassador to Togo, and Fujian provincial officials Wu Xielin, Lin Tao, and Zhao Zenglian attended the meeting.