China and Algeria strengthen ties

Since China supported the Algerian National Liberation Front against French colonialism, the Asian giant and the Maghreb country have enjoyed fruitful cooperation that has evolved from the political-military sphere to the economic sphere, particularly due to the transformation of the Chinese technology sector and investment.

China's ambassador to Algeria, Mr Dong Guangli, in his speech on the occasion of the 98th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, expressed the deep and historic friendship between the two nations.

‘Forged by the leaders of the founding generation and under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the friendship between our two countries continues to deepen,’ said the Chinese ambassador.

Algeria is a key strategic point for China in terms of the Belt and Road Initiative due to its geography and natural resources. In addition, Chinese companies are beginning to integrate more Algerian influence in the North African country. 

The director of the Laboratory of Strategic Studies and Political Research at the University of Tlemcen, Professor Dr Ayyad Mohammed Samir, explained that the Eastern mentality, as opposed to the Western one in terms of its policy of collaboration, has been a key factor in its rapprochement with countries such as Algeria.

And despite the challenges listed in the Jamestown Foundation report, such as complex bureaucracy and administrative corruption, Chinese efforts to locate their companies in Algerian territory reflect their ability to adapt. Companies now have more legislative knowledge and have strengthened their cooperation with the government in order to have stable and sustainable investment.

According to Dr Ayyad, for Algeria, the relationship with China is a strategy to strengthen its international relations without relying solely on Europe. It is therefore diversifying its partners within a flexible and egalitarian diplomatic dynamic with major powers.

Dr Ayyad went on to say that China's presence is a long-term opportunity that helps the economy, the diversification of partners and political stability, among other things. It has also helped to abolish regulations that were an obstacle to foreign investment.

An example of the good relations between the North African country and the Asian giant is the recent announcement that Air Algérie will expand its international network with a direct flight to China starting in October. And in winter, there will be regular flights from Houari Boumedine International Airport to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport in a port city near Hong Kong. 

Algeria is also seeking to improve its digital infrastructure in cooperation with Chinese companies such as Huawei. Communications networks, national data centres, the cloud and e-government service systems will be developed thanks to this collaboration.

‘China is willing to further deepen exchanges and cooperation with Algeria and all peace-loving countries in all fields,’ the Chinese ambassador explained in his speech.

In this way, the quality of Algerian public services will improve and the country will become more modernised. However, there is a risk that China will influence Algeria's internal policies on privacy and national sovereignty, a scenario that should be avoided and monitored.

The location of Chinese companies is also due to the fact that labour laws are stricter in China and companies must maintain their competitiveness in the global market without relying so much on their country's human resources. In Algeria, there is a need for more job opportunities within large-scale projects and to strengthen the national private sector. 

Despite the complex and dynamic relationship between China and Algeria, and the challenges and influence posed by Asian companies in North Africa, the alliance offers unparalleled opportunities that must be balanced in a way that benefits both sides.