Tunisian Prime Minister Ahmad Al-Hashani praised the long-standing and exceptional diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, emphasizing his country’s commitment to enhancing cooperation in a manner that serves the interests of both nations and their friendly peoples.
This was stated during Al-Hashani’s reception of the Chinese Ambassador to Tunisia, Wan Li, at the government palace in Kasbah, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Al-Hashani commended the level of Tunisian-Chinese cooperation, which is reflected in the completion of several Chinese projects in Tunisia, such as the International Diplomatic Academy and the Sfax University Hospital. He expressed Tunisia’s aspiration to strengthen the partnership through new projects in various fields, including sports, health, and transportation.
On his part, the Chinese Ambassador to Tunisia confirmed his country’s readiness to continue joint work and elevate the level of cooperation between the two countries, supporting future prospects.
The relationship between China and Tunisia has evolved significantly over the years, marked by steady diplomatic exchanges and expanding cooperation in various fields. Economically, China has become a significant supplier of consumer goods to Tunisia, with annual imports reaching $2.2 billion by 2021. Despite this, China’s direct investment in Tunisia has been relatively modest, with only a dozen Chinese companies active in Tunisia as of 2020. Some notable collaborative projects include the development of a diplomatic academy and a university hospital in Sfax with Chinese funding. Rumors also suggest China’s interest in developing deep-water ports in Tunisia.
Technological investments have also been a focus, with Chinese mobile giant Huawei having a notable presence in the Tunisian smartphone market. However, there has been competition and pushback, particularly in the field of 5G technology, where European companies have shown strong engagement.
The cultural and tourism exchange between China and Tunisia has seen a rapid increase, especially after Tunisia offered visa-free entry to Chinese visitors in 2017. Despite this, the proportion of Chinese tourists in Tunisia’s overall tourism sector remains relatively low. Educational exchanges, media relations, and arts projects have been part of the cultural ties expansion.
In terms of military and security cooperation, the two countries have made progress, including a Chinese grant to Tunisia for military procurements. This deal indicates potential for strengthening military and strategic cooperation.
