Algerian Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Said Chengriha arrived in China on Sunday on a visit aimed at strengthening ties of friendship and military cooperation between the two countries’ militaries, according to the Algerian Ministry of Defense.
Chengriha was welcomed at Beijing International Airport by Brigadier-General Jan Bao Chin, Deputy Chief of the International Cooperation Office (OIMC).
In a statement, the Ministry of Defense added that this visit will allow the two sides to discuss issues of mutual interest and means to boost military cooperation.
Observers view the visit as part of the Algerian army’s efforts to diversify partnerships in weapons and military equipment purchases.
In July, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune visited China and met with his counterpart Xi Jinping.
Tebboune said his country is taking serious strides to move to a new phase as a military, economic, and diplomatic power in Africa.
He described Algerian-Chinese ties as “very good” and considered China a “friendly country” that has become one of the world’s strongest in economy, military, and diplomacy.
Algiers and Beijing signed 19 cooperation agreements in various sectors during his visit.
In August, Chengriha visited Moscow and discussed with Director of the Military Cooperation Service of the Russian Federation Dmitry Shugayev a deal to sell military aircraft.
Chengriha was briefed on the latest equipment and technologies used in military aviation.
He visited the headquarters of the Aeronautical Technology Dynamics Company, where he examined the various latest equipment and technologies, including basic training for pilots and programs for simulation in the field of aviation.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Algeria ordered military equipment, including tanks, aircraft, and anti-aircraft defense systems.
A recent study published by the Stockholm Peace Research Institute in March 2023 revealed that Algeria is the third biggest importer of Russian weapons in the world after India and China. Russian weapons and military systems make up than 50% of Algeria’s arsenal.
