Chinese mining companies paid USD 1.3 billion to the DRC public treasury in 2021,

June 20, 2022June 20, 2022 arnbethnic

The Minister Counselor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Wang Hailong, recently said in an interview with Radio Okapi, that Chinese mining companies paid the DRC in 2021 an amount of 1.3 billion USD.

Mr. Wang explained that this investment has greatly increased mining production in the DRC, arguing that from 2016 to 2021, annual copper production increased from 842,000 tons to 1,800,000 tons, more than doubling in just 5 years. And of this volume, 70% is produced by Chinese companies, he revealed.

“We can also declare it loud and clear, after the infrastructures developed under colonization by Belgium and its partners, those of China since independence in 1960 are the most attractive and useful that can come from a single country. ,” he said.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Sino-Congolese relations and cooperation in this year 2022, the Chinese achievements begun with the symbolism of the People’s Palace and the Martyrs’ Stadium – perimeter where the most imposing and important cultural complex is erected. of Central Africa – are characterized with different infrastructures in Health, Education, Energy, Transport and Communication Channels, Housing, Environment, and this throughout the national territory. Evidenced by the Sino-Congolese contract carried by SICOMINES SA

Here is the full interview:

Radio Okapi: Mr. Wang, hello. The DRC produced almost 1,800,000 tons of copper last year. In your presentation, you said that China had a lot to do with it. What ?

Mr. Wang: Yes, exactly. Over the past three years, Chinese companies have invested more than $1 billion in the Congolese mining sector. This has greatly increased mining production in the DRC. From 2016 to 2021, annual copper production in the DRC increased from 842,000 tonnes to 1,800,000 tonnes, more than doubling in just a few years. And of this volume, 70% is produced by Chinese companies.

Thanks to the Convention with China, the DRC has once again become the world’s third largest producer of copper. It has regained its leading position as a mineral producer with state-of-the-art equipment and advanced technologies brought in by Chinese on its own.

Radio Okapi: When you really paint this picture, is it just to tell us that the illegal mining that is carried out by certain Chinese nationals in the eastern part of the country is not at all representative of Sino-Congolese cooperation?

Mr. Wang: Yes. As a Chinese saying goes “a tree cannot hide the forest”. Compared to 20,000 Chinese nationals settled in the DRC, those who are supposed to be in an irregular state are a very very small minority. The vast majority of Chinese companies and nationals working in the DRC comply well with Congolese laws and regulations. As requested by the Chinese government, they make a great contribution to the economic and social development of the DRC. For example, taxes paid in 2021 by Chinese companies reached $1.3 billion, or 16% of state budget revenue, not to mention other royalties or dividends, whether in materials or finance. What reigns in our relations is friendship and “win-win” cooperation.

Radio Okapi: When this crisis on illegal exploitation broke out, your country, through the embassy, undertook to sanction Chinese nationals who were involved in this exploitation (…). What about today ?

Mr. Wang: We made calls to these people to give up or to regularize themselves. I can tell you today that in the province of South Kivu, among the six to seven companies cited by the local authorities, there are almost zero left, perhaps one more who remains there to settle the behind procedures.

Radio Okapi: So you are committing today to ensuring that when you have nationals who are involved in mining activities, whether in the east or west of the country, that this is really done according to the prescribed of the law…

Mr. Wang: Yes. Indeed, the Chinese Government always asks companies and nationals settled here to comply with Congolese laws and regulations.

Radio Okapi: Coming back to Chinese investments, you said that today the DRC is the third or fourth African country where China invests the most. In which sectors is China investing today in the DRC, apart from mining?

Mr. Wang: Apart from mining, Chinese companies are investing. I would like to cite as an example the land port of Kasumbalese, a project with Chinese capital of around 230 million dollars which has favored the import and export trade of the DRC.

Mr. Wang: I believe this list of investments will continue to grow, as many companies are already committing to invest more.

Radio Okapi: In view of this, what can be the prospects for collaboration between the two countries.

Mr. Wang: There are many prospects for cooperation ahead of us. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between China and the DRC. We will take advantage of this historic event to bring our relations and our collaboration to a new level.