Burkina Faso Re-Establishes Diplomatic Relations With China

China and Burkina Faso re-established diplomatic ties Saturday, according to a joint statement released in Beijing.

According to the statement, the two governments "agree to develop friendly relations based on the principles of mutual respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence."

RELATED:
China's Xi Jinping Congratulates Nicolas Maduro For Reelection

Burkina Faso also issued a statement recognizing China's one-China policy, which states that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The African nation announced its intention to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan on Thursday.

China extended an invitation to Burkina Faso's President Roch Marc Christian Kabore to attend the Beijing Summit on China-Africa Cooperation in September, and Kabore said he intended to be there.

With Burkina Faso's decision, only one African country remains an ally of Taiwan rather than China: the Kingdom of eSwatini.

"Only one African country has not established diplomatic relations with China and we sincerely hope that this country could soon join in the China-Africa family of friendship," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.