Diop described China as “a reliable and dependable partner of Africa,” commending the country for its longstanding diplomatic engagement with the continent.
He also praised China’s diplomatic approach to international cooperation, which he said was anchored on respect for the sovereignty and political choices of partner countries.
The ECOWAS Commission president called for expanded cooperation between China and member states in critical sectors, including education, infrastructure, security, digitalisation and agriculture.
He emphasised the need to prioritise practical and achievable initiatives capable of delivering measurable benefits to citizens and strengthening the commission’s capacity to fulfil its regional mandate.
According to him, such initiatives should translate diplomatic commitments into tangible improvements in the lives of people across West Africa.
Speaking earlier, Yu reaffirmed China’s commitment to ECOWAS and its member states, stressing the importance of deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.
He said the partnership should continue to be guided by mutual respect, dignity and a focus on tangible development outcomes.
The ambassador also stressed that China accorded “topmost priority to its relations with ECOWAS,” reaffirming Beijing’s commitment to delivering practical benefits to the region.
The New National Star reports that China has maintained longstanding relations with ECOWAS and its member states, with cooperation spanning infrastructure development and other areas of mutual interest.
A major milestone in the partnership was China’s funding and handover of the new ECOWAS headquarters complex in Abuja, a multimillion-dollar project, which was commissioned a few months ago.
The facility is expected to provide a modern working environment for the commission and support its efforts to advance regional integration and cooperation among West African countries.
The renewed commitment by both sides underscores the importance of sustained partnerships in addressing regional challenges and advancing peace, stability and inclusive development across West Africa.