BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- China commends and congratulates Togo on the successful completion of its political transition, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on Togo's election of its new president and the first president of its Council of Ministers, which followed a constitutional amendment that came into effect in the West African country in 2024, formally transitioning Togo from a semi-presidential system to a parliamentary system.
During the 2024 summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, China and Togo elevated bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, opening a new chapter in bilateral ties, Lin said.
He noted that China attaches great importance to its relations with Togo, and is willing to work with the country's new government to implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing summit, strengthen exchange and cooperation in various fields, and promote the continuous development of China-Togo relations.
Jean-Lucien Savi de Tove was elected by the Togolese parliament on Saturday as the country's new president. He will succeed Faure Gnassingbe, who was sworn in earlier on Saturday as president of Togo's Council of Ministers.
Under Togo's new constitution, a president is elected by parliament to perform a largely ceremonial role over a four-year term, renewable once.
The constitution has also introduced a new position, president of the Council of Ministers, which is to be held by the leader of the political party or coalition that wins a majority of seats in a parliamentary election. The position has a six-year mandate and considerable power in the management of government affairs.
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