On the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Chinese Ambassador Zhao Bin reviewed the current state of China-DRC cooperation and outlined new priorities for the relationship. The ambassador highlighted the significant growth in trade between the two nations, with bilateral trade exceeding $19.2 billion from January to July 2026. The DRC has maintained a trade surplus of nearly $10.6 billion with China, solidifying its position as a key economic partner for Beijing in Africa.
Ambassador Zhao Bin emphasized that the China-DRC relationship is poised to reach new heights, as China begins its 15th five-year plan and the DRC accelerates its development trajectory. The Chinese government encourages the DRC to leverage its market access to increase exports, particularly after China implemented a zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries, including the DRC, on May 1, 2026. This policy change presents an opportunity for the DRC to expand its presence in the Chinese market.
The China-DRC cooperation extends beyond trade, with several concrete projects underway. The ambassador cited the commissioning of the Kamina water treatment plant, developed under the "resources-for-projects" mechanism, and progress on the Kinshasa ring road and rehabilitation of the Mbuji-Mayi to Kabinda section of the RN1 highway. Another significant project is the transportation corridor linking the DRC's central-western region to the Indian Ocean via Lake Tanganyika, which is expected to be fully operational this year.
The health sector is another area of focus for China-DRC cooperation. China has provided emergency food aid, medical supplies, and two batches of humanitarian assistance to support the DRC's Ebola response. Three Chinese medical expert teams have been dispatched to the DRC, with the current team treating over 900 patients and performing more than 60 surgeries this year. Additionally, Chinese agricultural experts have conducted training sessions at two demonstration centers in Kinshasa, resulting in improved soil quality and yields reaching 220% of previous levels.
Chinese companies have made significant contributions to the DRC's economy, creating over 120,000 direct jobs and paying more than $4 billion in taxes in 2025. These companies have also implemented social responsibility projects benefiting over 250 local communities. In the mining sector, Chinese investments in infrastructure have exceeded $1.77 billion, while nearly $100 million has been allocated to community development. The ambassador highlighted that local employment and procurement rates have reached 90%.
Cultural and people-to-people exchanges are also an essential aspect of the China-DRC relationship. The 2026 China-Africa Year of Human and Cultural Exchanges has seen nearly 500 activities organized between the two sides. The Chinese Embassy in Kinshasa has hosted events such as the China-DRC Media Forum and the China-DRC Investment and Economic Cooperation Forum in Kongo Central. Upcoming initiatives include the launch of Chinese television series under the theme "Discovering China on Screen."
Looking ahead, Ambassador Zhao Bin reaffirmed China's commitment to cooperation with the DRC in the mining sector, based on the principles of mutual benefit, friendly consultation, and innovation. The goal is to continuously improve the quality of China-DRC mining cooperation. On the diplomatic front, China will maintain its support for the DRC, including its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as efforts to promote de-escalation in eastern DRC.
Key points
- China and DRC trade exceeds $19.2 billion from January to July 2026.
- China implements zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries, including DRC.
- Chinese companies create over 120,000 direct jobs in DRC in 2025.
