A willing and ready comrade in arms

Congo Brazzaville's long-time link with China is one of firm solidarity

Since 2010, many African countries have been marking their 50th anniversaries of independence from colonial rule. Keen observers would have realized that the commemorations by countries as diverse as Nigeria in the west and Zambia in the south have doubled up as occasions to celebrate relations with China. One of the countries celebrating is the Republic of Congo, better known as Congo Brazzaville, to distinguish it from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In the case of Congo Brazzaville a sense in which its relationship with China can be held up as one of the most steadfast on the continent was palpable when the celebrations began last month. No less than the long-serving Congolese President, Denis Sassou Nguesso, was on hand to grace the golden jubilee of Sino-Congo relations at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. His presence - it was his fourth official visit to China - symbolized the staying power of the close ties forged since 1964.

Equally, it will not be lost on observers that when President Xi Jinping made his maiden trip to Africa in March last year, the Republic of Congo was one of his destinations. One of the significant discussions during his visit was about China's investment in building a special economic zone aimed at increasing the value of Congolese natural resources, particularly minerals.

Congo, because of its unwavering commitment to bilateral relations, is one of the African countries that has received Chinese financial and technical support. As the China-Africa scholars David Shinn and Joshua Eisenman have documented, China offered an interest-free loan of $5 million for budgetary support and a further $20 million for the establishment of consumer goods industries. That this early support came in the 1960s underlines the strength of the relationship.

Probably less known and appreciated is the fact that Congo served as the base for Chinese support for liberation movements in parts of southern, central and west Africa. In some parts of Africa, European colonialists were not keen to relinquish the imperial hold on their "possessions", which touched off armed insurrection. Chinese support in these respects - through Congo Brazzaville - was crucial in forcing the European powers to accede to African self-rule.

No wonder then that Congo is said to be one of the countries where Africans exhibit some of the most positive sentiments about China. But while such sentiment in Congo has its roots in history, there are many other reasons why many Congolese entertain a "look East" attitude today.

China is Congo's largest trading partner, with trade worth $5 billion in 2012. That may seem like a no-brainer given that China is also Africa's largest trading partner. However, the fact is that Congo exports more to China than it imports from China. Moreover, Congo is set to tighten relations with China especially in relation to oil exports. This is because Congo's exports to its other big oil buyer, the United States, are bound to plummet as the US exploits shale oil.

The Congo Brazzaville government has, of course, always wanted to extract as much benefit from its huge natural resources as possible. Yet, the investment capital to do this has always been a constraint. Chinese investments in the zones as well as experience with special economic zones may serve as a model that Congo can use in making the most of its minerals.

More importantly, China's readiness to invest in the special economic zones, which will, among other things, process minerals, is a show of magnanimity. After all, many other wealthy economies prefer to buy raw materials from Congo rather than higher value processed goods and materials.

Apart from the economic dimensions of the China-Congo relationship, it is notable that during Nguesso's visit last month, he made a detour from Beijing to Shanghai to attend the World Culture Forum. Congo shares with China the characteristic of being strong on culture - the world famous Soukous musicians for instance - and here Congo could learn from China on how to place culture at the center of societal development.

The author is a PhD candidate at Communication University of China and Research Associate at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 07/04/2014 page9)