Felix Tshisekedi, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), embarked on a State visit to China with the aim of renegotiating mining contracts for the country’s abundant mineral reserves.
The visit signifies a strengthening of the partnership between the DRC and China, and follows a trend of African leaders engaging in diplomatic exchanges with Beijing.
During the visit, President Tshisekedi and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, announced the upgrading of bilateral relations from a “win-win strategic cooperative partnership” to a “comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership,” as stated by the Chinese foreign ministry.
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China has a significant presence in the DRC as a major investor and dominant force in the lucrative mining industry, primarily through companies like Sicomines.
President Tshisekedi has made public commitments to renegotiate Congolese mining contracts, particularly the 2008 agreement signed with China by his predecessor, Joseph Kabila.
His goal is to secure better conditions for his country. Talks on mining renegotiation are reportedly progressing well, with the Congolese side aiming for a state-to-state agreement rather than individual agreements with mining companies.
The DRC, a central African nation, is a major exporter of copper, uranium, and cobalt, a crucial component in consumer goods batteries. Despite its mineral wealth, the country remains one of the poorest globally.
The President’s visit to China underscores the ongoing struggle for influence in Africa between major powers such as China, Russia, and the United States. Several African leaders have recently visited China, including delegations from Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Gabon, as part of rival diplomatic offensives by the great powers in the region.
