Algeria

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 strategic and cooperative relationship between the People's Republic of China and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria maintained sound momentum of growth, with fresh progress made in practical cooperation in various fields.

The two countries maintained regular political exchanges and continued to keep close consultation and coordination in regional and international affairs. In April, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and President Xi Jinping reached consensus through correspondence on further strengthening the bilateral relationship. Also in April, President Bouteflika sent a message of condolence to President Xi over the earthquake in Lushan, Sichuan. In December, President Bouteflika sent a message of congratulation to President Xi on the successful landing of the Chang'e-3 lunar probe. In September, Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent a message of congratulation to the new Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra on his assumption of office. In December, Foreign Minister Wang and Foreign Minister Lamamra exchanged congratulations on the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Also in December, Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Algeria and met with President Bouteflika and Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal. He held talks with Foreign Minister Lamamra and then jointly attended the reception for the 55th anniversary of China-Algeria diplomatic relations. During his visit, Foreign Minister Wang had an in-depth exchange of views with the Algerian side on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common interest, and pronounced China's policy toward Arab countries. In November, Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the NPC Xiu Fujin visited Algeria. In April, President of the Council of the Nation of Algeria Abdelkader Bensalah attended the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013 in China and President Xi Jinping met with him. In January, Special Envoy of the Chinese government and Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun met with Minister Delegate for Maghreb and African Affairs of the Algerian Foreign Ministry Abdelkader Messahel on the sidelines of the 20th African Union Summit.

Economic and trade cooperation made new progress. Bilateral trade continued to grow and China has become the largest source of commodity import for Algeria. The two countries signed the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation Between the People's Republic of China and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria. In April, Vice Minister of Agriculture Niu Dun visited Algeria and the two sides exchanged views with the Algerian side on enhancing agriculture and fishery cooperation. In November, the two countries signed the Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria on Cooperation in Space Science, Technology and Applications, which was China's first intergovernmental agreement on space cooperation with an Arab country.

The two countries saw further development in their military, health, cultural, education and sports exchanges and cooperation. In April, the 13th mission of the escort squadron of the Chinese navy visited Algeria for the first time. In June, Vice Minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission Ma Xiaowei visited Algeria and exchanged views with the Algerian side in medical care and health between the two countries. The two sides co-hosted the commemorative activity for the 50th anniversary of China's medical aid teams to Algeria and Africa. In October, Deputy Director of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television Tong Gang visited Algeria and hosted the China Movie Week. In November, Vice Minister of Culture Dong Wei visited Algeria and the two countries signed the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Culture of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria on the Establishment of China-Algeria Joint Commission on Culture. Peking Opera Troupe of Heilongjiang Province, Philharmonic of Zhejiang Province and Beijing Dance/LDTX gave performance in Algeria respectively. In October, China sent three Chinese language teachers to Algeria. In August, Algerian Minister of Youth and Sports Mohamed Tahmi attended the opening ceremony of the 12th National Games in China and watched some of the matches.