DRC Congo, China to strengthen ties in mining sector
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and China announced an elevation in their bilateral relationship during DRC President Felix Tshisekedi’s first state visit to China.
China’s foreign ministry stated that the partnership has been upgraded from a strategic partnership of win-win cooperation to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. China is a significant investor in the DRC, particularly in the mineral mining industry.
President Tshisekedi expressed his intention to renegotiate mining contracts in the DRC, including those signed with China by his predecessor, in order to secure better terms for his country. During his visit, he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Premier Li also expressed confidence in the development of China-DRC relations, emphasizing the potential for mutual benefit between the two countries.
Mining in DRC
The DRC is a major exporter of minerals such as copper, uranium, and cobalt, which is an essential component in consumer electronics batteries. Despite its mineral wealth, the DRC remains one of the poorest countries in the world.
According to a senior DRC official, Erik Nyindu Kibambe, the mining renegotiation talks in Beijing have been progressing well, and the Congolese side hopes to reach a deal by the end of the year. They aim to establish a state-to-state agreement rather than individual agreements with mining companies.
President Tshisekedi’s visit to China follows a series of visits by African leaders, including those from Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Gabon. This indicates the increasing diplomatic engagement between African nations and major global powers like China, Russia, and the United States, all of which have shown interest in expanding their influence on the African continent.
