YAOUNDE, May 8 (Xinhua) -- China has remained Cameroon's reliable and lasting partner for over half a century, cementing a rock-solid foundation of diplomatic relations, Cameroonian Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development Alamine Ousmane Mey told Xinhua in a recent interview.
As 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Cameroon and China, he highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between the two countries, which he described as grounded in shared values and historical parallels.
"These relations have been transformed into a highly strategic partnership, which has naturally resulted in contributions that have made China Cameroon's main bilateral partner, both in terms of trade and financing," Ousmane Mey said.
The cooperation has contributed significantly to infrastructure development in the country, including ports, roads, energy infrastructure, sports facilities and drinking water supply, he said.
"Cameroon is a partner, a great friend of China, a strategic partner, and we want to be able to rely even more on this support for Cameroon's development," the minister said.
These infrastructure projects continue to strengthen Cameroon's industrialization dynamic and improve the living conditions of the people, he said.
"Let's take the deep-water port of Kribi as an example. For us, it is a logistics hub, both for Cameroon and for the entire sub-region," Ousmane Mey said. "We want to continue this cooperation in the area of infrastructure, of course, by strengthening private-sector participation through public-private partnerships and by further mobilizing small and medium-sized enterprises to involve them in the implementation of infrastructure projects that will further develop Cameroon and allow for greater transfer of skills and know-how to support Cameroon's economic and social development."
Commenting on China's zero-tariff policy that went into effect on May 1 for 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to Beijing, the minister hailed it as "a historic decision" that will improve the competitiveness of Cameroonian products.
"Cameroonian farmers in the cocoa, coffee, cotton, and many other agricultural sectors can therefore access this captive market, this important market, to sell their products," Ousmane Mey said, adding that it will increase investment in production and processing, which will lead to higher-quality products in greater quantities reaching the Chinese market.
The minister also pointed out that platforms such as the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, the Canton Fair, and the China International Import Expo contribute to Cameroon's economic and social development, with support from both the Chinese public and private sectors.
He said that China is an important strategic partner for African countries and its commitment to multilateralism and free trade offers crucial strategic stability to a world marked by market volatility and growing protectionism.
"We believe that China, together with its partners in the Global South, can continue to advocate for fairer global trade rules that promote the inclusion of developing countries and guarantee free trade based on inclusive multilateralism," Ousmane Mey said. ■