Beijing and Tunis review their cooperation prospects – RT in French

The Tunisian Ministers of Economy and Foreign Affairs met on January 3 with the Chinese Ambassador to Tunisia, Wang Li. The latter notably reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to supporting Tunisia in its development process.

The Tunisian Minister of the Economy, Samir Abdelhafidh, and the Chinese Ambassador to Tunisia, Wang Li, reviewed, during an interview on January 3 in Tunis, the progress made as well as the prospects for cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, health and transport.

Quoted by Tunisian state news agency TAP, the Chinese ambassador highlighted “concrete” opportunities to improve bilateral economic relations and take them to a higher level, emphasizing the importance the government places Chinese to strengthen bilateral relations with Tunisia in various strategic areas.

For his part, the Tunisian Minister of the Economy highlighted the potential for attracting more Chinese private investment, “in a logic of win-win partnership for the benefit of both countries”. The minister also presented the “promising prospects” and the “opportunities available” to deepen economic cooperation, particularly in “priority sectors” for Tunisia, such as infrastructure, health and transport.

Earlier in the day, the Chinese diplomat met Mohamed Ben Ayed, Secretary of State to the Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, to “discuss issues relating to bilateral cooperation as well as international issues of common interest,” according to a press release from Tunisian diplomacy.

The meeting particularly focused on priority development projects in the health, transport and infrastructure sectors, underlines the same source, adding that the two parties reaffirmed their common desire to strengthen the strategic partnership between Tunisia and China. .

“One belt, one road”

This intensification of exchanges between the Chinese ambassador and the Tunisian authorities comes as Tunisia and China announced the establishment of a strategic partnership agreement, on May 31, 2024, during a state visit by the Tunisian president. Kaïs Saïed in China. This visit, accompanied by a succession of high-level meetings in bilateral and multilateral frameworks, contributed to strengthening ties between the two nations.

China has invested in several projects in this North African country, including the construction of stadiums, hospitals, and public infrastructure. Beijing has also expressed interest in developing new strategic transport projects, such as railways and ports, particularly as part of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative.

These areas offer significant opportunities and long-term benefits for Tunisia, a North African country which wants to play a strategic role, as a regional hub in the Mediterranean, in this ambitious global development strategy launched in 2013 by Chinese President Xi. Jinping.