China is making headway in some African country or the other every single day, securing mining rights, signing agreements for resource exploration, forming strategic partnerships and so on. There is no doubt about the strong position China has in the African continent, and its money power along with its interest in Africa has made Africans turn to it for help, support, aid and development. China in turn has been consistently trying to secure its supply of energy and minerals crucial for its own development. With all its investments and funding of infrastructure development in African countries it is now the most preferred customer for African oil and other natural resources available in abundance.
The latest in the series of China’s African operations is the commencement of work on an important pipeline in the southwestern part of Chad. The pipeline is being laid by the largest energy producer of China, CNPC or China National Petroleum Corporation, and will begin functioning on completion in 2011. The pipeline is expected to transport crude oil from the Koudalwa oil field to the Djarmaya refinery located in the capital city of N’Djamena.
The pipeline is a big step for Chad since the oil produce and exported would help fund developmental projects in the country. While the exact cost of the project is not disclosed, it is likely to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Chinese presence in Chad is six years old and it has helped Chad in major projects.
China is being increasingly perceived as an oil hungry country securing supplies of this scarce source of energy from anywhere and everywhere. With all its cash reserves it is investing in the source on which it can exercise control and not be dependent on external agencies. With resources in place, China is set to accelerate its pace of growth even further.
China’s diplomatic relations with Chad were also reestablished in 2003. Since then, China has been participating in a wide array of projects in Chad. These included construction of governmental buildings, water and power supply sources, medical aid including essential medicines, educational projects and so on.
Source : China Africa
