Guinean Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah speaks during an interview with Xinhua at the Prime Minister's Office in Conakry, Guinea, June 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Qiong)
CONAKRY, June 17 (Xinhua) -- China's development experience serves as a major source of inspiration for Guinea as well as many other developing countries, Guinean Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah said in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in October 1959, the two countries have developed cooperation based on concrete actions and mutual benefit, he said.
Among many achievements of this cooperation, he highlighted the Kinkon Hydropower Station, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of its commissioning this year.
The project was the first hydropower station completed in Guinea after independence and the first hydropower project delivered by China as a complete foreign aid package.
A native of Pita, where the project is located, Bah said the dam holds special significance for him and remains a tangible symbol of the China-Guinea friendship.
He said the China-Guinea partnership has entered a new phase, marked by bauxite mining and the development of the Simandou iron ore project.
The Simandou project is already helping transform Guinea's economy through the major infrastructure it has generated, particularly railways and port facilities, he said.
Guinea hopes to draw on China's development experience to advance industrialization and agricultural modernization, thereby promoting more balanced and sustainable economic development, he said.
Cooperation between Chinese and Guinean enterprises, particularly in the private sector, offers significant development opportunities, he said. "In the coming years, we intend to further strengthen cooperation in this area."
The prime minister also underscored the growing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
According to him, an increasing number of young Guineans are traveling to China to train in technical and industrial fields, while many graduates who have returned home now hold positions of responsibility in companies operating in Guinea.
With its vast and dynamic market, China offers tremendous opportunities for African businesses, he said, adding that African countries need to take a more proactive approach to seizing the opportunities from China's continued opening up.
Guinea hopes to further strengthen cooperation with Chinese enterprises and facilitate the entry of more Guinean products into the Chinese market, he said.
He called for stronger links between Guinean and Chinese enterprises to better meet the needs of the Chinese market.
On Global South cooperation, he said that the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China has provided developing countries with a new platform for cooperation and fresh opportunities for development, and created favorable conditions for Global South countries to strengthen connectivity and promote common development.
Guinea is willing to continue working to enhance solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries and jointly improve their development capacity, he said.
Expressing confidence for the future of bilateral ties, the Guinean leader said his country needs China. "Guinea draws inspiration from, and will continue to draw even greater inspiration from, the Chinese model." ■
This photo taken on June 6, 2026 shows the port of Morebaya in Forecariah Prefecture, Kindia Region, Guinea. (Xinhua/Liu Qiong)
Staff members inspect conditions at the port of Morebaya in Forecariah Prefecture, Kindia Region, Guinea, June 6, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Qiong)
This photo taken on June 6, 2026 shows the port of Morebaya in Forecariah Prefecture, Kindia Region, Guinea. (Xinhua/Liu Qiong)
A drone photo taken on June 6, 2026 shows the port of Morebaya in Forecariah Prefecture, Kindia Region, Guinea. (Xinhua/Liu Qiong)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 2, 2026 shows the Kinkon Hydropower Station in Pita Prefecture, Mamou Region, Guinea. (Xinhua/Liu Qiong)