DRC: President Félix Tshisekedi invited to the China-Africa cooperation Forum
On Tuesday, May 28, 2024, President Félix Tshisekedi received an official invitation from a Chinese delegation to participate in the 9th edition of the «Forum on China-Africa Cooperation» (FOCAC).
«Mr. Lin Yuxi delivered the official invitation from the Chinese President to the President of the Republic, inviting him to attend the 9th edition of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC) which will be held in September in Beijing, China», stated a source close to the Congolese presidency.
«The FOCAC was launched in 2000 in Beijing, China. It is a cooperation mechanism between China and friendly African countries. We will work together to discuss friendship, cooperation, and development», said Mr. Lin Yuxi, special envoy and head of the delegation.
It’s worth recalling that in May 2023, President Félix Tshisekedi, accompanied by a large government delegation, made his first official trip to China, which was marked by the signing of nearly a dozen cooperation agreements.
This included an agreement between the Congolese Press Agency (ACP) and China’s Xinhua News Agency.
Economically, the revitalization of Sino-Congolese relations is significant for the global economy, as both countries play a crucial role in the production of lithium batteries and other essential components for mobile phones.
The Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt and one of the biggest exporters of copper and coltan, vital for manufacturing batteries and mobile phones. Meanwhile, China controls over 80% of the mines in the DRC.
This hub of Sino-African trade allows African entrepreneurs to export products like coffee, peppers, flowers, and avocados.
The trade volume between China and Africa amounted to $3.14 billion USD for the first four months of 2023.
Notably, small private companies represent 89% of this figure, as opposed to large mining groups based in other Chinese provinces.
Neil Camara
