China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are poised to strengthen their economic ties through a signed agreement.
During his visit to China from May 24 to May 29, President Felix Tshisekedi will meet with President Xi Jinping to discuss and sign a $6 billion infrastructure-for-minerals agreement with Chinese investors.
The trip was confirmed by the Chinese foreign ministry, which emphasized the historical friendship and deepening political mutual trust between the two nations.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning highlighted the long-standing support they have provided to each other on core interests and major concerns.
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Over the years, China has been the DRC’s largest trading partner and source of investment, while the DRC holds the title of the world’s largest producer of cobalt, an essential material for batteries. The country also possesses significant reserves of diamonds, gold, lithium, and tantalum.
President Tshisekedi’s agenda includes a meeting with Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China.
The Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Qin Gang, expressed China’s willingness to collaborate with the DRC through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to advance high-quality cooperation.
Qin further emphasized that the upcoming meeting will formulate high-level plans and chart the strategic course for future bilateral ties. This agreement signifies a crucial milestone in the economic partnership between China and the DRC, promising fruitful results for both nations.
