In Algeria, Chinese companies have not only built skyscrapers and modern airports but also extended their cooperation with the Algerian side to other areas. As the cooperation between the two countries deepens, Chinese companies bring cutting-edge technology and extensive expertise, injecting powerful momentum into local development.
by Xinhua writer Tian Ye
ALGIERS, April 25 (Xinhua) -- At the new headquarters of Algeria's Ministry of Housing, Urban Planning and the City, 26-year-old Huang Shijie guided us through the project being built by her company.
In downtown Algiers, final touches are underway at the complex, which is expected to be handed over to the Algerian side in about four months. Workers were meticulously cleaning the intricately patterned floors, while engineers were moving between floors, fine-tuning various equipment. The exterior of the building has been fully completed, and most of the interior facilities are ready for use.
"We have introduced advanced Chinese technology and equipment to build modern smart offices in this building. The access control system, air conditioning system and other facilities were all imported from China," Huang said in the spacious auditorium on the first floor of the main tower.
Built by China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. (CSCEC) Algeria, the grand project consists of a 26-story tower, two nine-story podium buildings and a six-story conference building.
The tower is designed with an "H" shape, with blue glass walls installed on the top and sides to bring in natural light. The gray tower stands tall, while the podium buildings on either side are adorned with golden decorative patterns.
Rising from downtown Algiers -- where whitewashed buildings dominate the landscape -- the complex stands like a modern lighthouse on the Mediterranean coast. From a distance, it echoes the silhouettes of the Maqam Echahid, a monument to the Algerian War of Independence, and the Great Mosque of Algiers, the world's third largest of its kind. Together, they outline the skyline of this North African coastal city.
The complex, the mosque, and the Houari Boumediene Airport, located not far from the city center, were all built by Chinese companies -- standing as vivid testaments to the enduring friendship and close cooperation between China and Algeria.
"The seismic-resistant technology introduced by the Chinese company can withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude 8 -- this is the first time such advanced technology has been applied in Algeria," said 33-year-old Algerian engineer Shakidib Walid Hamza at the project command center next to the complex.
Hamza joined CSCEC Algeria six years ago. Before that, he had worked for an Algerian construction company and a Canadian firm. Since joining the Chinese company, he has been promoted twice due to his outstanding performance, with his salary increasing accordingly -- by 15 percent after the first promotion and by 10 percent after the second.
The sturdy young man gets along effortlessly with his Chinese colleagues. To facilitate communication on site, he has picked up quite a few Chinese terms related to construction and one of his favorite Chinese foods. "Gang Jin (rebar), Shui Ni (concrete) and Jiao Zi (dumpling) …" he recited fluently. Speaking about Chinese products, he showed us his Xiaomi smartphone and proudly mentioned that he had purchased a Great Wall car.
Working at a Chinese company also comes with its challenges. "Pressure!" he said, half-joking, half-serious. "Efficiency is one of the strengths of Chinese companies. My Chinese colleagues have very high standards when it comes to project progress and quality."
In Algeria, Chinese companies have not only built skyscrapers and modern airports but also extended their cooperation with the Algerian side to other areas. As the cooperation between the two countries deepens, Chinese companies bring cutting-edge technology and extensive expertise, injecting powerful momentum into local development.
"Ten to 15 years ago, Chinese companies were mainly involved in building welfare housing and road projects. Today, their work has expanded to include new energy projects, data centers, railway electrification and communication projects, as well as new buildings like the Housing Ministry's new headquarters," said Geng Daojin, general manager of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Algeria, who has spent most of his career working on projects across Africa.
Chen Shaozhen, deputy general manager of CCECC Algeria, has witnessed the deepening and upgrading of China-Algeria cooperation. "In recent years, China and Algeria have joined hands in areas such as railway construction, digital transformation and smart applications," he said.
When discussing the reasons behind the fruitful outcomes of China-Algeria cooperation, Chen said that "Chinese companies have always adhered to the concept of high-quality development. It is this relentless pursuit of quality that has earned us widespread praise and recognition from the local community."
The thriving cooperation between China and African countries, including Algeria, is inseparable from the dedication and contributions of countless Chinese professionals like Geng and Chen. They have devoted years, even decades, to local development, continuously driving forward cooperation between China and African countries, including Algeria, across various fields.
During my visit to Algeria, the Algeria-China Business Forum on Investment was being held at the International Conference Center (CIC) in Algiers. This conference center, also the work of a Chinese company, has now become an important place witnessing the expanding cooperation between the two countries.
In the conference hall packed with about 600 attendees, an official from the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency introduced the government's investment incentive policies to the audience, sparking great interest among Chinese entrepreneurs and investors. Eager to seize the investment opportunities, they frequently stood up to take photos and capture the details of the slide presentations.
Addressing the forum, Algerian Minister of Industry Sifi Ghrieb said cooperation between Algeria and China in various sectors had "reached a satisfactory level and achieved win-win results" since 2014, the year when the bilateral relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He emphasized that through joint efforts and ongoing dialogue, Algeria hopes to continue deepening economic and trade cooperation with the Chinese side.
During the event, Chinese and Algerian businesses signed agreements for eight investment projects in Algeria, with a preliminary investment exceeding 2 billion U.S. dollars.
Carlo Mauri, the Algeria project supervisor of China's Zhejiang Qianjiang Motorcycle Co. Ltd., was invited to attend the signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between the company and a local Algerian enterprise.
"Our cooperation is a great start," he said with confidence.■