What topics are worth paying attention to?, African Head of State Visits China Today | Algeria | Head of State

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Algerian President Abdelmajid Teburn will pay a state visit to China from July 17 to 21.

The traditional friendship between China and Afghanistan is profound, and the two countries have always respected each other, treated each other equally, and supported each other.

What are the highlights of President Ben's first visit to China? What opportunities and growth points has the "the Belt and Road" initiative created for Algeria?

China Central Radio and Television's Voice of China program "Great Power Diplomacy" interviewed Chinese Ambassador to Algeria, Li Jian.

Chinese Ambassador to Algeria, Li Jian

The first offline meeting between the two heads of state

Voice of China Li Jian: This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan, as well as the 60th anniversary of China's dispatch of medical aid teams to Afghanistan, and the 40th anniversary of China Arab defense industry cooperation.

Algeria is an old friend of China, and the friendship between China and Algeria has a long history. In 2014, Algeria became the first Arab country to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with China. In 2022, the two governments signed three important cooperation documents, namely, the five-year plan for China Arab comprehensive strategic cooperation, the cooperation plan for China Arab joint construction of the "the Belt and Road", and the three-year cooperation plan for China Arab key areas.

Li Jian: This time, President Teppen's visit to China does indeed have very high expectations. They hope to enhance the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, promote the construction of a new international order, continuously strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in investment, tourism development, agricultural modernization, renewable energy, aerospace, automobile manufacturing, digital economy and other fields, and promote the upgrading of bilateral relations.

I understand that President Teppen's visit to China this time is not only to highlight the strategic cooperation between the two sides, but also to enhance the mutual benefit of our cooperation. For President Teppen, he also looks forward to increasing Algeria's visibility among the Chinese people through this visit. On the one hand, to introduce more about Algeria's beautiful Mediterranean natural scenery to the Chinese people, and at the same time, to show sincere enthusiasm for Chinese friends. The most important point is that he hopes to promote Algeria as the highest quality investment destination on the African continent, and looks forward to Chinese enterprises actively investing and developing in Algeria.

Expect to become more participants and beneficiaries of the "the Belt and Road" initiative

President Li Jian of Voice of China: First of all, Algeria is a strong supporter of the "the Belt and Road" initiative. Algeria also looks forward to becoming more participants and beneficiaries of the the Belt and Road Initiative.

Algeria has always been one of China's largest overseas engineering contracting markets, and China is also the largest builder of infrastructure in Algeria. It is the most important partner for Algeria to promote modernization and industrialization. It should be said that China has closely cooperated with Algeria and constructed a large number of iconic projects. For example, a Chinese company has built the Algiers Mosque, the largest in Africa and the third largest in the world, in Algeria, which has become a new landmark in Algeria and is also printed on the new version of Algeria's 1000 dinar banknote.

Algerian 500 Dinar banknote

Li Jian: Similarly, Algeria's first communication satellite, Axing-1, was printed on the new 500 dinar banknote. This satellite was successfully launched by China in Xichang, Algeria in 2017, and has gradually served various industries in Algeria, including broadcasting and television, broadband access, emergency communication, remote education, and satellite based navigation enhancement.

Algerian East West Expressway

Li Jian: Another iconic and very important achievement of cooperation is the east-west expressway, which carries over 80% of Algeria's land transportation volume. It has played a highly efficient driving role in personnel exchanges, transportation, and local economy throughout the eastern and western parts of Algeria.

Another iconic achievement is the Olympic Stadium in Oran. This is the first modern standard sports stadium in Algeria and the largest multifunctional comprehensive sports facility in the western region.

Last year, Algeria hosted several major international and regional events, including the 19th Mediterranean Games. The sports stadium built with the help of the Chinese side has received high praise from all parties for its quality and various functions.

The Oran Olympic Stadium is Algeria's first modern standard comprehensive sports stadium

Li Jian: Another aspect is in the field of communication. Our leading enterprises in China have closely cooperated with local operators, greatly improving the infrastructure of local network operations and network environment. This has also laid a very solid material foundation for Algeria to further promote the development of the digital economy.

Many of our local enterprises in China have done a very good job in localizing the employment of local employees, with the vast majority of companies hiring around 70% of local employees, and some companies reaching over 90%. Moreover, our Chinese enterprises actively assume social responsibility and have done many good deeds in assisting students, drilling wells in rural areas, and helping people with disabilities.

Hope to accelerate the process of joining the BRICS cooperation mechanism

Voice of China Li Jian: Algeria has great ambitions as a major country. Algeria is a hub country with triple attributes of Africa, Arabia, and the Mediterranean. In terms of area, Algeria is the largest country in Africa, and it is also an important developing country and emerging market country. Once again, Algeria has a great power perspective and is a principled and trustworthy country. Since its independence, it has been committed to promoting the establishment of a more just, reasonable, and equitable new international order, firmly upholding the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, practicing multilateralism, and safeguarding the common interests of developing countries.

Therefore, Algeria hopes very much to play the role of a major country and highly recognizes the important position and role of the BRICS cooperation mechanism in the process of world multipolarity. It also regards joining the BRICS as an important platform for it to play its role as a major country, continuously promoting South South cooperation, continuously enhancing its international status, and continuously expanding the international influence of the Non Aligned Movement.

This is the China Algeria Traditional Chinese Medicine Center located in Algiers, the capital of Algeria

Leave behind a medical team that cannot be taken away

Voice of China, Li Jian: China's medical aid team to Afghanistan is a banner of traditional friendship between China and Afghanistan, as well as a spiritual symbol of China Arab friendship. It is also passed down from generation to generation, constantly cultivating the widest and deepest public opinion foundation.

In April 1963, the first batch of medical teams sent by China to aid Algeria arrived in Algeria. So far, a total of 27 batches of approximately 3300 medical personnel have been dispatched. These medical teams in Algeria work in 8 provinces and 12 grassroots hospitals, providing diagnosis and treatment services in various fields such as traditional Chinese medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and orthopedics. For the past 60 years, selflessly and fearlessly, we have saved lives and helped the wounded. We have treated a total of 27.37 million patients, delivered 2.07 million newborns, and performed 1.75 million various surgeries.

Local patients thank Chinese doctors for receiving migraine treatment

Li Jian: At the same time, our medical team has been teaching and learning both fish and fishery for 60 years. They trained approximately 15000 medical personnel in various fields and fields in Algeria, participated in over 600 academic exchange conferences, promoted the mutual learning between Chinese traditional medicine and Algerian traditional medicine, and filled the technical gap in Algeria's medical system in large-scale surgical operations in various fields such as heart, nervous system, obstetrics and gynecology, as well as the treatment of difficult and complicated diseases, leaving Algeria with a medical team that cannot be taken away.

In recent times, medical cooperation between China and Arab countries has been continuously improving and upgrading, and institutional cooperation is on the rise. Recently, the China Algeria Traditional Chinese Medicine Center has just been established, and the China Algeria Obstetrics and Gynecology Center is also under negotiation. These will become new platforms for academic exchanges between medical personnel from both sides.

In May of this year, the Chinese Embassy in Algeria held a reception for the 60th anniversary of the dispatch of China's medical aid team to Algeria, and all Algerian parties actively participated. We have awarded commemorative badges to these 27 batches of medical teams assisting Afghanistan. The spirit of the Chinese medical team assisting Algeria and their outstanding contributions in the local area have been highly recognized by all aspects of Algeria.