Africa-Press – Angola. Angolan President João Lourenço awarded a medal of honor to Chinese President Xi Jinping and former President Hu Jintao on Thursday in Luanda, as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Angola’s National Independence.
Lourenço presented the medals to Zhang Bin, the Chinese ambassador to Angola, in recognition of China’s significant role in Angola’s development.
After the war ended, China supported Angola by providing substantial financing for the reconstruction of essential infrastructure, including roads, bridges, substations, electricity transmission networks, and water production and distribution systems. China also helped rehabilitate the Benguela Railway, the main asset of the Lobito Corridor.
China also collaborated in constructing large, modern ports and airports, such as the Port of Caio in Cabinda and the António Agostinho Neto International Airport.
Currently, China is Angola’s largest creditor through various credit lines opened by the Beijing government via state-owned banks.
Since 2007, Angola has been China’s largest trading partner in Africa. Their trade reached 24.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2010 and 61 billion U.S. dollars in 2020.
In 2018, during João Lourenço’s visit to Beijing, China approved a new financing line of two billion dollars.
This partnership is based on equality and mutual benefit, contributing to the development of both countries and supporting the establishment of a new international political and economic order.
China is active in various sectors of Angola’s economic and social life. It has a strong presence in personnel training and was instrumental in constructing and equipping the Integrated Center for Technological Training (CINFOTEC) in Huambo province and the Venâncio de Moura Diplomatic Academy in Luanda. China also grants scholarships to young Angolans.
Angola and China have had diplomatic relations since 1983, which reached a high point in 2000 when Beijing began providing loans for infrastructure reconstruction and economic development.
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