The Government of the People’s Republic of China has donated US$9.23 million (MK6.8 billion) to Malawi following President Prof. Peter Mutharika’s recent appeal for humanitarian support in the wake of food shortage in the country.

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the announcement on Sunday at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe where he held talks with President Mutharika.

Wang said as a friend and Malawi’s partner, his government would continue working with the country in a number of areas in pursuit to China’s development agenda for Africa.

The Chinese Foreign Minister, who is on a tour of African countries, said his visit to Malawi would help the two countries identify areas of further cooperation and strengthen their diplomatic ties.

“I came to discuss with the President to bring the relations to new stage and we have identified general direction for the relations of the two countries,” said Wang. “China will remain most reliable and ideal partner of Malawi and we will work together to accelerate industrial independence in Malawi.”

The Chinese Foreign Minister said his tour of African countries follows his government’s pledge of US$60 billion towards African development that Chinese President, Xi Jinping, made at the 2nd Forum on China – Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in December 2015 in South Africa.

“I will be meeting leaders of African countries to discuss the implementation of the funding and how soon it should be,” said Wang.

In his remarks, President Mutharika hailed China’s commitment towards Malawi’s development and that his government remained committed to the full implementation of the outcomes of such meetings for the betterment of the people of Malawi.

Mutharika also thanked the Chinese government for supporting Malawi with funds in the disaster relief and risk reduction and also for another support towards the flood relief efforts in Malawi, among other things.

“I must emphasize that my government does not take its partnership with the People’s Republic of China for granted,” said Mutharika, “China’s spirit of hard work continues to inspire the people of Malawi as we endeavour to achieve sustainable social-economic development.”

The President said Malawi would remain resolved to consolidate her relationship with China at bilateral, regional and international levels.

He added that Malawi’s cooperation with china would remain unchanged and that the two countries would continue to maintain the principle of “One china Policy” and peaceful Chinese reunification.