China with his old time trading partner Algeria is taking steps forward in strengthening ties. The two countries have signed deals on crucial issues such as security and national defence on Tuesday. This would help China gain major support from the African side.
China and Algeria stamped their ties after the meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Beijing, where the two leaders backed each other’s interests and protect their sovereignty and territorial integrity, said a joint statement released by China’s foreign ministry.
Algeria is China’s crucial partner as it is situated on the Mediterranean Sea. Their diplomatic bond is as old as Algerian Independence dating back to 1950s & early 1960s. Algeria gained independence from France on 5th July 1962.
Their relations reached a notch up when their comprehensive strategic partnership in 2014 strengthened. Algeria, with predominantly Arab ethnicity and rich in gas, is a first Arab partner of China.
The two leaders released a statement on Tuesday, in which they agreed to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership, stressing the need for close political and security cooperation.
This has led to concerns among China’s security pacts with other nations. In early July, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand called on the Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Damukana Sogavare to reveal information regarding the Oceanic country’s policing deal signed with China.
Also mentioned in the joint statement is China and Algeria’s determination to fight extremist terrorist organisations in both the country’s as well as help countries like Sudan and Somalia in strengthening their security.
Since France, a former colonial power in the region, withdrew from regional counterterrorism operations, Algeria, which has effectively combatted domestic terrorism, has long indicated interest in assisting its neighbours in the fight against terrorism.
On his first visit to China since becoming Algeria’s PM, Tebboune stated that his country wants to deepen its relationship with China to aid in his country’s economic development.
Tebboune travelled to Beijing following a state visit to Russia last month, where he urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to support Algeria joining the BRICS, a group of developing countries including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
According to their statement, China supports Algeria’s efforts to join BRICS and welcomes its ambition to do so.
According to Xi, the two sides would also collaborate in the fields of infrastructure, petrochemicals, renewable energy, nuclear energy, and aerospace.
