Benin: Focus on cooperation between Benin and China

The President of Benin, Patrice Talon, arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a four-day State visit.According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this visit should help to strengthen cooperation between the two states and between Beijing and the continent.

During his visit, Patrice Talon will meet the chinese prime minister, Li Qiang, and the President of the National Assembly, Zhao Leji.

Relations between the two countries date back to 1972, when they were officially resumed.

Since the 1980, these relations have been strengthened by the sending of Beninese scholars to China to study in various fields, including medicine, engineering, agriculture and the social sciences. At the same time, China was already contributing to Benin’s development through the construction of infrastructure, notably Benin’s largest stadium, the Stade de l’Amitié, inaugurated in 1982 at a total cost of 10 million dollars.

 China is investing massively in infrastructure projects in Benin, many of which are being carried out by Chinese companies. One example is the modernisation of the autonomous port of Cotonou (PAC), which will be carried out by the Chinese company China Harbour Engineering Co (CHEC) from 2021.

According to the Chinese Embassy in Benin, the territory is home to some forty Chinese companies employing nearly 5,000 Beninese workers.

Trade relations between Benin and China are significant, according to data from Benin’s National Statistics Institute.

In 2022, China was the third most important partner in Beninese exports, with a share of 6.2%. At the same time, it was Benin’s second most important import partner, with a share of 14.0%.

The future of cooperation between Benin and China looks promising unless they work together constructively for mutual benefit.

In December 2022, China and Benin celebrated the 50th anniversary of the re-establishment of bilateral relations, which were severed in 1964.

 Justine GOKA