2023-10-28 23:04:17
In December 2022, China celebrated 50 years of cooperation with Benin. The two nations will strengthen their bilateral relations in 2023 with the point of understanding: “win-win partnership”. A look at a friendship with a country that has been a model for Benin for over 50 years.
The friendship between Benin and China is the story of two countries with almost identical destinies. Many historians teach that Benin was entirely colonized while China was semi-colonized.
Following its independence in 1960, the young state, Dahomey, embarked on cooperation with China, which was experiencing economic growth at that time. But, this relationship started in November 1964 will be suspended due to political instability in Benin.
Dahomey will find the beginnings of political stability with General Mathieu Kérékou who came to power on October 26, 1972 through a coup d’état. In December 1972, his revolutionary regime resumed diplomatic relations with China.
China, an inspiring school
The work undertaken by China with rigor in the management at the top of the State to be an economic power remains a source of inspiration for successive Beninese leaders.
Already under the regime of Mathieu Kérékou, Benin adopted China’s governance policy: “communism”. A vision which allowed President Kérékou to put the Beninese to work during the revolutionary period. Kérékou also made a series of state visits to Beijing: 1976, 1986 and 1998.
President Mathieu KÉRÉKOU welcomed in 1976 at the airport by Chinese Prime Minister Hua Guofeng as well as thousands of people. Source: French Observatory
This inspiring school that is China seduces the former Beninese president Boni Yayi. He in turn went to Beijing in September 2011.
The current president of Benin, Patrice Talon, is also making a working visit to China in August 2023. The Beninese head of state speaks to the vice-president of the Party School, Xue Chuntao, at the museum of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) school, the school founded in 1933 and renowned as a center of excellence that trains future Chinese leaders:
“Sustainable development never happens by chance. We can clearly see that it is a process, and this school shapes thinking and the implementation of actions over several generations”.
On September 1, 2023 in Beijing, Beninese President Patrice Talon and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, sign 13 accords both economic and political on behalf of the two States.
Analyzing this interest of Benin towards China since 1972, the geopolitical consultant and collaborator at the Training and Research Institute for International Peace and Security (IFRPSI) Benin, Morgan Assogba Metondji, assures that “China remains an inspiring model in terms of economic development, especially compared to its previous state, just a few years ago”.
China, an important partner for development
China supports Benin technically and financially in several areas, including training and the construction of socio-economic infrastructure.
The country provides scholarships to Beninese in vital sectors like medicine, engineering, arts, etc. “In 2016, there were 673 Beninese students on Chinese soil and 749 in 2017. An increase of 11.29% in two years. Among these 749 Beninese students in 2017, 80 were doctoral students and 219 were registered at the Master level. reports the Beninese Bio Sia Seko Baga Bio Maro who was trained in China after his Baccalaureate obtained in Benin.
China, through this strategy, wants Benin to have local experts for its socio-economic development. “China was the springboard of my dreams for 10 years. I not only worked hard to acquire professional knowledge, but also cultivated in myself the spirit of competition, innovation and teamwork; thus becoming more rigorous, more persevering and more motivated to put my expertise at the service of my country Benin or even at the service of Africa as a whole,” testifies Bio Sia Seko Baga Bio Maro, doctor of Economics, specialty Global Economy in 2019 at Beijing Normal University (Beijing Normal University BNU)
China also participates in the development of Benin through the construction of infrastructure. The Kouhounou Friendship Stadium, now the General Mathieu Kérékou Friendship Stadium, is an illustration of this. The construction of the largest stadium in Benin cost China 10 million dollars in 1982 before its renovation in 2021 by the two States.
China also contributes to the construction of roads, hospital centers, commercial and industrial infrastructure in Benin, namely: the Godomey interchange in the Abomey-Calavi commune, the modernization of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou, the construction in Lokossa of the factory called the Benin Textile Company (CBT), the construction of the Mono Departmental Hospital Center (CHD-Mono) with the provision of Chinese specialist doctors, etc.
The Chinese ambassador to Benin, Peng Jingtao, explained in 2022 during the celebration of 50 years of bilateral relations one of the reasons motivating Chinese investment on Beninese soil. “The two countries have a similar history which brings together the feelings of the two nations. Our two countries share the same vision (…)”declared Peng Jingtao.
Between China and Benin, “a more objective operation”
At the heart of the Sino-Beninese relationship, friendship. The two countries are friends and place particular emphasis on a win-win partnership. “The relationship between China and Benin is a very good relationship. (…) The Beninese Textiles Company is the fruit of this cooperation (…). Management takes place in a collegial manner and we believe that this cooperation still has a future for (…) the construction of a future Benin” said in 2022 Casimir Sogbedjicommercial director of the Benin Textile Company (CBT).
“This cooperation offers an opportunity to the two countries concerned”, indicates the geopolitical consultant, Morgan Assogba Metondji. The Beninese Bio Sia Seko Baga Bio Maro trained in China agrees:
“China enables Chinese investors to find new opportunities, natural resources and labor, and promotes the transfer of marginal industries and the promotion of the modernization of industrial structure. As for Benin, maintaining a good relationship with China allows it to attract Chinese investors and inject new funds into its economic development. Which will help Benin to alleviate employment problems”.
The doctor in World Economy points out that China’s current place in the world economy constitutes an asset for Benin. “China is one of the world’s great powers in terms of economy, security and technology. Benin has to gain by maintaining its relationship with China,” conclut Organic Sia Seko Baga Bio Maro.
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