Luanda, Oct. 16, 2024 (Lusa) - Trade between China and Angola totalled US$10.6 billion (€9.7 billion) in the first half of the year, a year-on-year increase of more than 4%, demonstrating the good bilateral relationship, a Chinese diplomat said on Wednesday.
Chen Feng, minister counsellor at the Chinese embassy in Angola, was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a conference on the promotion of "universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation", as part of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, and stressed that proximity to the United States of America does not compromise China's relationship with Angola.
"We are independent, sovereign countries, we have all the freedom to be friends with any country. We are in a good period to develop bilateral relations between China and Angola, there have been no changes in this area," said the diplomat, emphasising that China wants to continue sharing its experiences with Angola.
"We want to improve our bilateral cooperation and support Angola in diversifying its economy and realising sustainable development," she stressed, pointing to agriculture and industry as preferred areas, as well as human resources training.
Regarding US President Joe Biden's visit to Angola, which was due to take place between 13 and 15 October but has been postponed without a date, Chen Feng considered that Angola is a relevant and strategic country in Africa, with influence on regional and international issues.
She also pointed out that China had also contributed to the development of the Lobito Corridor, investing in the modernisation of the Benguela Railway and the Port of Lobito.
China was one of the countries that had expressed an interest in the Lobito Corridor concession, which was eventually awarded to a European consortium.
The railway infrastructure that runs through Angola for more than 1,300 kilometres, linking the Port of Lobito to the Democratic Republic of Congo, also has US funding that could reach US$1.3 billion (around €1.19 million).
The Lobito Corridor is considered strategic for the export of minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and has emerged as a Western counterpoint to China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.
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