By Kamel M. – Algeria is now emerging as a key player in the energy sector, with increasing attention from French media, against the backdrop of a global energy crisis and ongoing diplomatic tensions between Algiers and Paris.
According to an analysis by BFMTV, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has highlighted the vulnerability of some major powers. The media emphasizes that “the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has revealed a certain fragility of China in terms of energy, particularly oil.”
Faced with this dependence, Beijing is seeking to diversify its sources. BFMTV explains that China “can at least partially” overcome this fragility by turning to other partners, especially Algeria, a strategic country because it offers “many advantages for the Chinese,” including great stability compared to the Middle East and a geographically ideal position between Europe and Africa.
China has already established strong foundations there. According to BFMTV, China has been investing in the country for years with its new silk roads, allowing it to have a structured network of infrastructure and economic cooperation.
In this framework, Algeria holds a central place. BFMTV notes that the country is “very important for China in terms of hydrocarbons.” Despite energy transition efforts, oil remains essential for Beijing, which still heavily relies on imports to meet its consumption needs.
However, a significant portion of China’s oil suppliers pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The media points out that “almost all of these suppliers export their oil through the Strait of Hormuz,” highlighting the strategic interest of diversifying towards secure partners like Algeria.
The relations between Algiers and Beijing are well established, notably through the national company Sonatrach, which collaborates with Chinese groups in the hydrocarbon sector, and the involvement of companies like Sinopec in the exploitation of certain gas fields.
This dynamic is part of a broader strategy by China, aiming to secure its supplies while managing its energy transition. Algeria is becoming a space for energy balance, where it plays a shaping role, according to sources in Paris.
At the same time, the French media closely monitor this development, implicitly regretting that France has engaged in a policy towards Algeria that is seen as both arrogant and counterproductive. In a context of worsened energy crisis due to the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, Algeria is perceived as a key strategic supplier.
K. M.
