Potential to Leap Forward? Interrogating the Relations between China and Tunisia

Abstract

Abstract China has a stake in Tunisia, both strategic and economic. The situation of the county, as a Mediterranean, Arab-Muslim and African hub, is of great interest, and represents an important gateway for China to expand its economic interests in Africa and Europe. Compared with its neighbours, including Algeria, Egypt, Libya and Morocco, Tunisia has more transparent legal systems, better-established financial institutions and easier visa procedures. Nonetheless, these advantages have not yet translated into significant investment by and trade with China. This article analyses the factors for the historically tepid relations between China and Tunisia, what Tunisia means to China today in the context of the latter’s promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the prospects for the development of bilateral relations.