by Wahili Djimet Wiche
Editor, Director of Publication of Union of Chad Journalistes (UJT) Alwihda info, Chad
In 1978, Deng Xiaoping initiated bold economic and social reforms that inevitably led China onto the path of globalization. The country now derives its growth from exports of low – cost goods. The competitiveness of its export products and its need for raw materials have considerably changed the situation of the world economy. It has won a historic victory against absolute poverty and established the largest systems in the world in terms of social protection and in the fields of education, medicine and health.
Economically, it has become the most dynamic in the world with an average contribution of 38.6% to global economic growth, beyond the total contribution of the G7. China’s economic growth has materialized through an increase in demand for raw materials and therefore their selling price.
I believe that China’s development in the new era will contribute to bringing major opportunities to the deepening of China- Africa relations in general. African countries have been able to take advantage of these global upheavals even though they do not represent a key issue for the Chinese economy. In the interest of strengthening the traditional friendship and solidarity between the two countries, the People’s Republic of China has very clearly stated its ambitions to become a collaborator in Chad’s development in order to expand its cooperation agreements since the resumption of diplomatic relations.
In this perspective, Chad and China had signed agreements of capital importance which served as a legal framework in the relaunch of their strategic diplomatic relations.
Since the resumption of diplomatic relations since 2006 between Chad and China, Chinese companies have invested in several development sectors: road, hospital, administrative infrastructure and especially in the field of training Chadian executives. In Chad, it is Chinese companies that have built roads to open up several provinces of the country, several oil refineries built by the CGCOC company to replenish the public treasury and to renovate the Palace of Arts and Culture which hosted the inclusive and sovereign national dialogue in 2022 after the death of President Idriss Déby Itno died a head of 2021. Which made it possible to lay the foundations for a re- established state. In order to reduce Chadians’ dependence on imports of petroleum products, China built a refinery (including a commercial creditor that it financed with a loan of 232 million euros at the LIBOR rate increased by 3%, with a 5-year deferral and a 10-year maturity.) which is 40 kilometers from N’Djamena ( Djarmaya ).
This refinery was owned by the Chinese oil company CNPC at 60% and by the Société des Hydrocarbures du Tchad (SHT) at 40%. It began to supply the production of the Sédigui and Mayo- Kebbi deposits in the exploration phase by CNPC.
This refinery had the immediate consequence after its operationalization of integrating the local market of finished petroleum products at low prices, of promoting the domestic consumption of butane (often imported from Cameroon and Nigeria) and electricity at prices likely to substitute them for firewood whose intensive exploitation increases the problems of desertification, and also of substantially reducing the price of kWh of electricity. It constitutes a step forward for the development of this landlocked country in Central Africa.
The Chinese Embassy also grants scholarships in several fields to high school graduates each year, the upgrading of Chadian civil and military executives. It has graciously built the women’s house ( La Maison de la Femmes) to allow women to reflect in order to contribute to the development of Chad.
In short, the Chinese presence in Chad could largely contribute to the socio-economic development of Chad in the medium, short and long term.
Throughout history, culture has always built strong bridges between peoples of heritage around the world. In the cooperation between China and Africa, culture has been able, despite the geographical distance, to unite the people of both parties. China can largely contribute through its know-how and skills transfer to rehabilitate some historical monuments of Chad that tend to disappear in order to attract tourists and allow young Chadians to discover their history and promote their culture. Indeed, China’s investments in Chad are increasing steadily and the fields of Sino-Chadian cooperation continue to expand.
In the interest of strengthening the traditional friendship and solidarity between the two developing countries, the People’s Republic of China, with its clearly stated ambitions to become a collaborator in the development of Chad, does not hesitate for a single moment to establish specific agreements.
The Chadian and Chinese authorities signed a series of memoranda of understanding (MoU) with the Director General of UNAMA (MANUA) to focus on the selection of women during this training allowing Chadian journalists and technicians to benefit from training. This will also be done as a prelude to the China-Africa Forum in Beijing, China, next September.
The Silk Road Journalists Forum, which closes on August 31 in Chongqing, I was able to visit several road, commercial, tourist and administrative infrastructures to immerse myself in the conditions in which the inhabitants of this great city work to develop their region. Chongqing has promoted high- quality development in the cultural and tourism industry, and can become, in my humble opinion, a world-renowned tourist destination in the coming months or years. The city has also deepened regional cooperation, particularly in the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, a master plan that has helped boost the growth of this western Chinese province.
I also noticed the presence of mountains, rivers, forests, waterfalls and gorges, which constitute a multitude of natural attractions. Chongqing also has three Yangtze River Gorges and Wulong Karst National Geological Park listed as some of the most popular natural wonders that stun visitors with majestic views.
The city’s nightlife, with its bars, tea rooms and clubs teeming with people, offers yet another reason for its appeal.
*The views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the position of the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Journalist Network.