Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s five-day state visit to China has set the stage for deepening cooperation between the two nations under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Representatives from Chinese companies expressed their commitment to expanding investment beyond traditional sectors like basic infrastructure and energy to include emerging areas such as aerospace, telecommunications, and new energy.
Observers noted that the increased cooperation under the BRI framework will provide a significant boost to Algeria, helping it diversify away from heavy reliance on energy exports. Algeria’s strategic location as a major country on the African side of the Mediterranean and an Arab nation makes stronger ties with China have broader implications, showcasing the potential of South-South cooperation in both Africa and the Arab world.
During a meeting with President Tebboune, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of implementing key documents related to the BRI and fostering cooperation in traditional areas like infrastructure, petrochemicals, mining, and agriculture. Additionally, both countries aim to expand collaboration in high-tech fields such as aerospace, nuclear energy, information and communication technology (ICT), and renewable energy to stimulate new growth drivers for cooperation.
President Xi reassured Algeria of China’s commitment to providing assistance within its capacity to support Algeria’s economic and social development. He also pledged to increase imports of quality products from Algeria and encourage Chinese businesses to explore further cooperation opportunities in the country.
The meeting between the two leaders marked the 65th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of the BRI. In December 2022, China and Algeria signed an executive plan for joint implementation of the BRI, reflecting Algeria’s participation in the initiative since 2018.
In recent years, China’s involvement in Algeria under the BRI has resulted in landmark projects, including railways, ports, and mosques. Chinese companies have been crucial players in Algeria’s overseas project contracting market, with China becoming the country’s largest infrastructure builder.
Among these projects, the construction of a photovoltaic (PV) power station in the Algerian South region, with an installed capacity of 233 megawatts, stands out as Algeria’s largest PV project and Africa’s first large-scale on-grid PV station. The project was undertaken by the state-owned Power Construction Corp of China (PowerChina) and embodies the high-quality development path pursued by BRI cooperation on the initiative’s 10th anniversary.
With over 1,000 Chinese companies investing in Algeria across various sectors, including infrastructure, trade, energy, and agriculture, China’s role in the country’s economic development has been pivotal. Experts believe that the prosperous cooperation between China and Algeria under the BRI could set an example for South-South cooperation, aligning with Algeria’s recent application to join the BRICS grouping designed to facilitate such collaboration. The matter is expected to be on the agenda of discussions during President Tebboune’s visit to China.