The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) aims to bolster its alliance with China as the two nations renegotiate mining contracts for the DRC’s valuable mineral reserves.
President Félix Tshisekedi’s inaugural state visit to China marks the latest in a series of diplomatic exchanges between African leaders and Beijing.
During the visit, President Tshisekedi and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, announced on Friday that they would elevate “the bilateral relationship from a win-win strategic cooperative partnership to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership,” as stated by the Chinese foreign ministry.
China is a major investor in the DRC and holds significant dominance in the lucrative mining industry, with companies like Sicomines. However, President Tshisekedi has publicly committed to renegotiating Congolese mining contracts, particularly the one signed with China in 2008 by his predecessor, Joseph Kabila (2001-2019), to secure better conditions for his country.
Upon his arrival in Beijing, President Tshisekedi was greeted by a ceremonial honour guard and enthusiastic children. He held meetings with President Xi and Premier Li Qiang.
Premier Li expressed his belief that “China-DRC relations will surely achieve greater development and benefit both peoples.”
The vast Central African nation is a significant exporter of copper, uranium, and cobalt—a crucial component in consumer goods batteries—yet it remains one of the world’s poorest countries.
Erik Nyindu Kibambe, a senior DRC official, informed reporters in Beijing that the mining renegotiation talks were progressing “wonderfully,” with hopes for an agreement by the end of this year. The DRC aims for a state-to-state agreement rather than individual agreements between the DRC and mining companies.
Félix Tshisekedi joins a string of African leaders who have visited China in recent weeks, including delegations from Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Gabon.
The African continent has become a focal point in the struggle for influence among major powers such as China, Russia, and the United States. All three nations have dispatched their top diplomats to the region for rival diplomatic offensives this year.
Image Credit: Ludovic Marin/Reuters
