The relations between Algeria and Asia-Oceania region:
The Asian continent hold a crucial role in the international stage, today most of its countries especially the rise of China as a gigantic leading power as well as the rapid bloom of the four Asian Tigers: Hong Kong, Twain, Singapore, and South Korea. These countries have become key player and the driving power in the world economy and the lifeline of the trade, their influence is very remarkable whether in politics, or geostrategic dimensions. In the last decade they exercise a prominent and multilayered impact on the economic, financial, and world trade cycles. Thanks to the advantage given by its vast area and population, it is considered the biggest continent in term of size and inhabitants, with an area extends approximately 44, 5 million kilometers, which constitutes 30% of the world land. It also includes approximately 4.5 billion people, which is equivalent to 60% of the world total population.
The bilateral relations existing between Algeria and the Asian countries date back to era of joint struggle for independence, during which a delegation from the National Liberation Front (FLN) participated in “The Bandung Conference” held in Indonesia from 18 to 24 April 1955, this meeting brought together representatives 29 countries from both Africa and Asia countries for the first time. It comes just after few months from the outbreak of the glorious revolution of the first November 1954, the conclusions of this gathering marked a turning point and conclusive step to internationalize the Algerian cause.
As result, and even before Algeria gained its independence, many Asian countries recognized the provisional government of the Algerian Republic and established diplomatic relations with our country, additionally, representations of the National Liberation Front and the Provisional Government were opened in several Asian capitals.
After Algeria’s independence, relations with the Asian continent were strengthened within the framework of joint effort to defend the interests of the developing countries through the organization of Non-Aligned Movement. This was also supported by our country’s assistance and backup to numberless just causes in the Asian countries, such as Vietnam. Algeria never back down in its support, it continued to uphold the struggle of Asian people that still under the colonial rule in order to get their right of self-determination, such as the East Timor’s struggle.
Over the past twenty years, the Asian continent has experienced profound changes, partly due to the rise of new economic powers that have become the new engine of the global economy, and specifically due to the integration processes in the region, whose impacts have surpassed regional sphere by reaching the group of twenty (G20), which consists one of the most industrialized countries that include five from Asia, like China, the Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, and Japan. These countries are the key actors in various international issues such as the climate change, the financial crisis, the world economic disruption and the commercial negotiations.
From the other flip, the domestic gross income is nearly 35.000 billion USD, and the economic growth exceeds the other region in the rest of the world. The region of the East and the south of Asia and Oceania have become one of the prominent centers of world gravity regarding global economic and trade exchanges.
Activity in Asian markets is expected to return back in order to revive the economy which has been severely affected by Covid-19 pandemic.
Some Asian countries are key players in the development of global goods and services trade. Notably, China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore stand out as being among the top 20 countries in exports and imports. Additionally, many other developing countries have followed a similar path, like India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam and Bangladesh. As work with the establishment of Asia-Pacific Free Trade Zone has begun on November 15, 2020, it has become the largest Free Zone ever.
Based on the deep historical ties and the aforementioned considerations, developing political, economic, commercial and cultural relations with Asia-Pacific region is considered to be one of the most priorities of Algeria’s Foreign Policy. Politically, Algeria seeks to uphold bonds of friendship and enhance political consultations with Asian countries both bilaterally and within international forums. This is confirmed by views convergence and several common positions towards regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Algeria has established diplomatic relations with many independent countries and islands in Oceania and the Pacific, including Vanuatu in 1986, Timor-Leste on May 20, 2022, Fiji on September 2019 and Kiribati on October 29, 2021.
Economically, maintains partners in Asia-Pacific region, in particular the People’s Republic of China, South Korea, Japan, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, New Zealand and Australia.
On the other side, Asian Institutions are strongly present in Algeria, where they accomplish development projects by carrying out public transactions, handling contracts and conducting studies in construction, public works, transportation, energy, water resources and the environment.
In terms of commercial exchanges, the trade balance tilts broadly in favor of its Asian partners, led by China, India, South Korea and Japan. Algeria’s exports to these countries consist mainly of hydrocarbons, energy and mineral resources, such as oil, gas, phosphate and ammonia.
Algeria exports also some non-hydrocarbon products, like cork, leather, marble and other various forms and types of iron and steel pipes, knowing that the Asian market offers a lot of opportunities for Algerian exporters, which are exploited in the framework of new strategies aimed at giving a boost to non-hydrocarbon exports.
Asian countries investments in Algeria are primarily concentrated in hydrocarbon sector despite the numerous available opportunities and the facilities granted by Algeria that could allow to more various cooperation and partnership ventures based on a win-win principle.
On December 27, 2019, Algeria joined the Asian Investment Bank created under China’s belt and Silk Road initiative.