In a remarkable display of international camaraderie, the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School recently marked the commencement of a new academic year with heartfelt messages promoting the enduring friendship between the two nations. On September 4, 2023, students at the school located in Jinping County, Yunnan Province, were delighted to receive video greetings from their peers in Equatorial Guinea.

Within the context of these greetings, three students from the Confucius Institute at the National University of Equatorial Guinea expressed their warm sentiments in Chinese, proclaiming, “Welcome to Equatorial Guinea! Long live China-Equatorial Guinea friendship!” They encouraged their classmates to contribute positively towards the ongoing friendly relations between the two countries.

Principal Ran Hongyan emphasized the significance of the relationship between the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School and its counterpart in Africa during her welcome address, which featured a lesson dedicated to fostering the bond as ambassadors of friendship. This relationship has been nurtured since the establishment of diplomatic ties over fifty years ago, allowing for continued cooperation and mutual support in various fields, yielding substantial outcomes.

A defining moment in the history of this cooperation occurred in April 2015 when President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea announced his nation’s commitment to donating a new school in Jinping County. The China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School was consequently constructed and opened in 2016, standing as a symbol of the resilient friendship shared between the two countries.

Noteworthy interactions between the leaders of both nations have taken place as well; during a video call on May 27, 2024, President Obiang engaged with the students, while Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledged the school during subsequent diplomatic discussions, resulting in the elevation of their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

At present, the school hosts over 2,000 students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, proudly illustrating the cultural diversity of both China and Equatorial Guinea. The institution features decorations representing Equatorial Guinea’s geography and cultural heritage, alongside exhibitions showcasing student artwork celebrating the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations.

During a calligraphy class, an 11-year-old student named He Chenxi poignantly penned, “The friendship between our two countries is as deep as a mighty river,” expressing a simple yet profound desire for continued strength in this relationship, akin to the flow of the Jinzi River in Jinping County. The importance of this river echoes within the local community, as children dressed in traditional ethnic costumes performed songs dedicated to the Jinzi River, encapsulating their hope that their friends in Equatorial Guinea would have the opportunity to learn more about their culture.

Moreover, the enthusiasm of the Equatorial Guinean students was palpable as they expressed their aspirations to visit the school in China, a sentiment met with reciprocal invitations from their Chinese peers to visit the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture.

This initiative, facilitated by dedicated Equatorial Guinean college students who returned from their vacations to record video messages, underscores the long-standing mutual support and deep friendship that has characterized the relations between Equatorial Guinea and China. Jose Antonio Nguema Owono, a student from the Confucius Institute, stated, “Equatorial Guinea and China have established diplomatic ties for over half a century, supporting each other through all ups and downs.” Such exchanges not only bolster educational ties but also foster a sense of unity and shared aspirations across continents, strengthening the bonds between nations and peoples.

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