Because Of Corona Virus Pandemic… Algeria is Eying Chinese Silk Road

The Corona virus pandemic unexpectedly accelerated the accession of Algeria to the New Silk Road Initiative of China (the Road and Belt), as Algeria found in China the best basis for confronting the epidemic, at a time when European partners despite being closer to Algeria geographically acted in overtime with a financial assistance amounting to just 75 million euros .

Signs of Algeria’s change of direction in economic cooperation and its international relations towards China appeared at the height of the Corona virus crisis, as Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad stated, during his visits to the Blida and Tipaza provinces recently, that Algeria, after the global crisis of Covid 19, must link its destiny to just international relations, believing that the priority lies in the protection of the human being as a human being, and it is a clear indication of the Chinese position supporting Algeria in the crisis, contrary to exposed European backwardness.

The Prime Minister stated at the time that “Algeria, which is not alone and not isolated from the world, should consider linking its destiny to just international relations, believing that the priority is protecting the human being as a human being, and humanity as a human being”, noting that “this is the lesson that we must draw from this global health crisis “.

Mr. Djerad added that “there is a world that came before Corona virus and the world after Corona virus, and for this it is necessary to think about the global dimension of this comprehensive crisis, which was reflected on the world’s economies as well as on agriculture and industry”.

Immediately after the prime minister’s statements, Algeria received a Chinese aid shipment, which consisted of a highly qualified medical team, protective masks, artificial respirators and other medical equipment.

As a recall, the first Algerian orders came from China, represented by 8.5 million masks, followed by a second shipment that included 500,000 medical masks, 40,000 virus detectors, and 100 permits for artificial respiration, which is the equipment that Air Force planes transported to Algeria in a record time, and this was followed by a second similar order.

It is expected – according to the Prime Minister – that shipments of Chinese medical equipment will continue to arrive in the coming days and weeks.

It should be noted that the Chinese construction company, in charge of building the Algiers Grand Mosque, made the first donation consisting of medical equipment and the highly qualified medical team, which arrived in Algeria weeks ago, in addition to other companies, but dozens of European companies that are active in Algeria and have been present in the country for decades, by clinching deals in billions of dollars made no contribution during this severe health crisis.

The statements of the Prime Minister indicate that Algeria’s dealings in building its international relations will be completely different after the Corona virus crisis, and the data are clear.

China rushed to help and respond to Algeria’s requests, while the country’s largest economic partner, the European Union, which hadn’t moved until April 8th, announced financial aid to Algeria worth just 75 million euros, after providing aid to Morocco and Tunisia by 450 and 250 million euros, respectively, last March.

European circles, especially French, have expressed their annoyance at Algeria’s joining the Road and Belt Initiative (the New Silk Road), as a French Senate report expressed concern and frustration at the Algerian-Chinese rapprochement on the commercial, economic and space levels (satellites)!

According to the relevant report that “Echorouk” dealt with in a previous topic, China is developing silk roads in a new economic and technological concept from Pakistan to Algeria and Morocco, which calls for a French and European move to confront this Chinese expansion.

The document pointed out that China, in the framework of its policy to expand its space policy to launch, operate and control satellites, signed its first contracts in 2010 with Algeria, Pakistan and Venezuela, and the contracts bearing Beijing’s stamp included part of the financial cost of these operations.
The report also recommended that caution should be exercised about the new ways of China’s silk roads to Algeria, Morocco and the rest of the countries, because it appears that they don’t have purely economic goals.