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ChinAfrica
Broad Vision
China-Niger relations provide leverage for maximizing mutual potential
ChinAfrica | VOL.11 July ·2019-07-15

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for photos with visiting Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou and his wife Aïssata Issoufou on May 28 (PANG XINGLEI)

China and Niger took a step toward deeper synergy within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) at a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerien on May 28 in Beijing. The two leaders agreed that this synergy required well-implemented key cooperation projects in infrastructure, people's livelihoods, energy and agriculture.

ChinAfrica sat down with Nigerien Ambassador to China Inoussa Moustapha and asked him his thoughts on this important relationship going forward and other areas of mutual interest. An edited version of the interview follows:

ChinAfrica: What do you think have been the highlights of Niger-China relations so far, and how would you like to see these relationships develop in the future?

Inoussa Moustapha: The highlights of the Niger-China relations revolve around the following areas: bilateral political relations characterized by high-level exchanges; economic and trade relations and technical cooperation between the two parties; cultural, educational, health and media exchanges and cooperation; and bilateral and, in some ways, multilateral conventions and issues within the framework of the FOCAC.

Indeed, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Niger in July 1974, almost all major projects in Niger have been carried out by China. We can mention among others: the sports stadium in Niamey; the China-Niger Friendship Bridge and the General Seyni Kountché Bridge under construction, the Reference General Hospital; drinking water supply in the city of Zinder; a project for Soraz-Zinder and Maradi-Malbaza power lines; and the construction of affordable housing.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Nigerien and Chinese Governments on the Joint Promotion of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding on Implementation of Economic and Trade Initiative, under the eight major initiatives announced at the FOCAC Beijing Summit, are both important levers for strengthening the prospects for cooperation between the two countries.

These initiatives are perfectly in line with Niger's development plan, PDES 2017-21.

The Belt and Road Initiative has become a real global bridge to integrate the economies in a global way, making it possible to achieve a common destiny for humanity.

Inoussa Moustapha (ZHANG WEI)

A visit to the headquarters of China's e-commerce giant Alibaba was the first event of President Mahamadou Issoufou's state visit. Does Niger hope to strengthen its cooperation with China in the field of e-commerce in the future?

Upon his arrival in Hangzhou [where Alibaba is based] on May 26, the President of the Republic of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, was welcomed to the company by CEO Daniel Zhang, who gave him detailed explanations of the launch of the company by Alibaba's founder, Jack Ma. The president was very happy to discover this company which creates opportunities in the world of e-commerce through their digital revolution. Of course, as the president so rightly pointed out, Niger does not intend to remain on the sidelines of this revolution. Niger wants digitization in cities as well as in the countryside. Niger wants to be the third African country to cooperate with Alibaba after Rwanda and Togo.

Our nation wants to take advantage of the smart village project. Niger is a vast country in terms of area measuring 1,267,000 square km. Also, in remote villages, the platform will benefit from its e-education and e-health component, two very important basic social sectors in the context of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS). It was also agreed to involve Niger in the framework of training, and discussions will continue to formalize this partnership. So Niger is preparing to enter into a good relations with Alibaba in order to keep pace with the evolution of the modern world.

What is the role of the Nigerien Embassy in China in strengthening trade cooperation between the two countries?

The role the embassy plays is that of an institution for strengthening the relations of brotherhood, solidarity and cooperation between the two countries. It is also an interface role - that of representation. The embassy, from this point of view, undertook several actions to strengthen mutual knowledge by participating in exhibitions organized by the Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as by the African embassies in Beijing. We took part in the various trips organized by Chinese institutions to get to know the country better. The Nigerien Embassy in Beijing also maintains fraternal relations of collaboration with its Chinese counterpart in Niamey, [the Niger capital] to jointly promote strong cooperative relations between the two countries. For this, I would like to congratulate and thank my brothers from the Chinese Embassy in Niamey, led by Ambassador Zhang Lijun, who spares no effort to listen to us and work with us.

We also want to work more closely with the Chinese People's Association for Friendship With Foreign Countries.

The First China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo will be held from June 27 to 29 in Changsha, Hunan Province. Will Niger be participating and if so what are your expectations for this exhibition?

Niger will be there. This is an opportunity "to give" and "to receive," as generally speaking Sino-African cooperation is a win-win. For Niger it is also a forum that would allow us to make our potential known and appreciated. Expectations are many, including the search for investors who would be interested in different areas of production in Niger or partnerships with local companies to improve the method of production. This could be done within the framework of technology transfer and job creation for young people.

At the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the Chinese Government announced eight major initiatives to promote collaboration between Africa and China. Which ones do you think are the most important for Niger?

Since the establishment of FOCAC in 2000, the forum has evolved greatly to hold three summits of heads of state and government.

During all these summits, initiatives to promote cooperation were taken. Thus, the Beijing Summit witnessed eight major initiatives taken by President Xi Jinping. For their implementation, China put $60 billion at the disposal of African member countries on preferential terms. All eight initiatives are important for Niger, but among them, the initiative for peace and security, the health initiative, the initiative for green development and finally the initiative for inter-connectivity are high on our agenda.

(Commments to christophe.alexandre@chinafrica.cn)

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