Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of Cape Verde Jose Maria Neves have exchanged congratulatory messages on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, marking five decades of formal relations that began on 25 April 1976. The messages were shared on Saturday, 25 April 2026, in Beijing, as part of an official commemoration of the milestone in China–Cape Verde bilateral relations.
In his message, Xi said China and Cape Verde share a “traditional friendship that has stood the test of time and continues to flourish.” He noted that over the past fifty years the two sides have supported each other on core issues of national interest and that cooperation in development, infrastructure and livelihood sectors has delivered tangible results. Xi described the China–Cape Verde relationship as a “fine example” of mutual respect and friendly cooperation between large and small countries and said he is ready to work with Neves to deepen practical cooperation and strengthen multilateral coordination to enrich the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Cape Verde President Jose Maria Neves, in his reply, expressed appreciation for the long‑standing friendship and thanked China for its contributions to Cape Verde’s sustainable development. Neves said his country is ready to use the 50th‑anniversary landmark to strengthen political trust and expand mutually beneficial cooperation for the benefit of both peoples. The two countries elevated their relationship to a “strategic partnership” in September 2024, and this anniversary is being used to reinforce that framework, with particular emphasis on trade, investment, infrastructure and South–South cooperation.