Niger

Note: This column mainly includes countries along the Belt and Road and countries that have signed cooperation agreements with China on Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2013, the friendly and cooperative relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Niger made steady progress.

The two countries enjoyed a smooth political relationship and close exchanges at all levels. In December, the CPC Central Committee sent a congratulatory message to the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism, the governing party of Nigeria, on the opening of its sixth national congress. In March, President of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou sent a congratulatory letter to Xi Jinping on his election as the Chinese President; Prime Minister of Niger Brigi Rafini sent a congratulatory letter to Li Keqiang on his assumption of office as Chinese Premier; Speaker of the National Assembly of Niger Hama Amadou sent a congratulatory letter to Zhang Dejiang on his election as the NPC Chairman; Mohamed Bazoum, Minister of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Overseas Nigerien, sent a congratulatory letter to Wang Yi on his assumption of office as Foreign Minister. In the same month, the governing party of Niger, the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism sent a delegation to China. In September, Foreign Minister Bazoum attended the third round of political consultations between Chinese and African foreign ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Also in September, Amadou Boubacar Cissé, Minister of State and Minister of Planning, Regional and Community Development, visited China, and more than ten ministerial officials of Niger came to China to attend a seminar on the experience of China's economic development.

Economic cooperation and trade continued to deepen. In March, construction began on the China-assisted project of reinforcing the water production capacity in Zinder. In October, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the project of the Referral Hospital of Niamey, the biggest hospital in Africa built with Chinese assistance. In November, license was granted for the second phase of the Agadem Oil Integrated Project.

Cooperation in other fields advanced steadily. In September, the Red Cross Society of China provided emergency relief in cash for Niger in response to the heavy flooding. In the same month, a working group of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television visited Niger and signed cooperation agreements with Niger State Television and Niger 24.