China-Niger friendship based on mutual historical trust

Connectivity, balanced development in the African nation boosted thanks to Chinese help in building bridges and more

China-Niger relations have seen rapid growth in 2019. President Mahamadou Issoufou's state visit to China in May pushed ties to a new high, ushering in the best period in the history for both countries.

As the founder of the ruling Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism, President Issoufou has great respect for the leaders of Communist Party of China's revolutionaries such as Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. He is also impressed by the giant strides China has made in just a few decades since its founding.

During his trip to China in May, President Issoufou wanted to visit Jinggang Mountain to see the "cradle of the Chinese revolution" and Hangzhou "where President Xi Jinping worked".

China and Niger are thousands of miles apart, but the two peoples share the same aspiration for development and national rejuvenation.

The Social and Economic Development Plan(2017-21), the food self-sufficiency plan and other initiatives vigorously promoted by the Niger government have presented new opportunities for cooperation between Niger and China in economic development, infrastructure construction, poverty alleviation and improvement of people's livelihoods.

Responding to concerns about China-Niger ties, Foreign Minister Kalla Ankouraou said:"Take a look at the Niger River in Niamey, before you ask me why Niger-China relations are important."

The Niger River, which is Niger's lifeline, has come in the way of achieving connectivity and balanced development for the past few decades. In the 1970s, the first bridge across the river was built with assistance from the United States. It was not until 2010 that the second bridge was built with help from China. Again, with China's help, another new modern bridge connecting the two sides of Niamey is under construction.

Some other China-Niger cooperation projects are also under way, like the General Seyni Kountche Stadium in Niamey, Niamey's Model Hospital, Zinder Oil Refinery, and the Integrated Oil Project at Diffa to name only a few. There is no denying that China-Niger cooperation is highly productive and beneficial to people of Niger. And a friend in need is, definitely, a friend indeed.

Two years ago, Niger suffered a severe food crisis following frequent droughts and floods, as well as sluggish livestock exports following the depreciation of the naira, the currency of Niger's neighboring country Nigeria. The Niger's prime minister and other government officials approached the international community for help but it was the Chinese government that responded immediately by providing emergency food assistance.

Besides, with the help of Niger's Ministry of Humanitarian Action and Disaster Management and the Chinese embassy, Chinese citizens in Niger, too, raised and delivered more than 200 metric tons of grain directly to the affected people in Niger.

Even two years later, Niger's Minister of Humanitarian Action and Disaster Management Lawan Magagire remembers the gesture. "Chinese expatriates in Niger are not the largest in number, but they were the ones who spontaneously helped us out. It doesn't matter how much was provided or how expensive. What matters is the goodwill."

There is an ancient Chinese saying that "even mountains and seas cannot distance people with common aspirations". And there's a Niger proverb, which says: "If you want to go fast, you should go alone. But if you want to go far, you must go with others."

It's fair to say it's the best time for friendly cooperation between China and Niger, for both countries share the same aspirations for development and national rejuvenation. The two heads of state pay the same close attention to poverty alleviation, peace and development, establishing a fair and reasonable new international order and a community with a shared future for mankind. The pragmatic cooperation between the two countries brings about substantial benefits to their peoples, and the two peoples have developed a stronger bond and share the common desire for a better life. We're more convinced than ever before that China-Niger relations will thrive.

The author is China's ambassador to Niger. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.