The Economic Development Board had the honour of hosting Her Excellency Dr. Huang Shifang, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Mauritius, accompanied by Mrs. Wang Lei, Economic and Commercial Counsellor, for a courtesy call on Mr. Mahen Kundasamy on 01st July 2025 at the EDB headquarters in Ebene.
This high-level meeting served to reaffirm the enduring diplomatic and economic partnership between Mauritius and China, and to explore new avenues for strategic collaboration under the framework of the Mauritius–China Free Trade Agreement and the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Mr. Kundasamy pointed out that Mauritius and China established diplomatic relations since 1972, with Mauritius being among the first African nations to recognise the People’s Republic of China. This historic relationship has since matured into a robust and dynamic partnership, underpinned by the principles of mutual respect, non-interference, and win-win cooperation.
Both parties acknowledged the strong foundation built through FOCAC, in which Mauritius has actively participated since its inception in 2000. Notable achievements stemming from this cooperation include Chinese-supported infrastructure projects such as the SSR International Airport and the National Cote d’Or Complex Stadium.
Mr. Kundasamy also highlighted Mauritius’ strategic positioning as a gateway for Chinese enterprises into Africa, capitalising on its bilingual workforce, robust legal system, sound regulatory environment, and favourable investment climate. He mentioned Huawei Technologies as a successful example of a Chinese enterprise that has established a strong and lasting presence in Mauritius, using the country not only as a local base but also as a strategic regional platform. The company has set up a Shared Services Centre in Mauritius that supports its operations across Africa, underscoring the role Mauritius can play in the architecture of China–Africa cooperation.
Ambassador Huang reaffirmed China’s interest in leveraging Mauritius as a financial and investment hub for triangular cooperation between China, Mauritius, and African markets. Mr. Kundasamy emphasised the importance of expanding this model and advocated for greater support to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) within FOCAC, particularly in areas of climate resilience, digital transformation, and sustainable trade.
China remains a key economic partner for Mauritius, with bilateral trade accelerating in recent years, especially following the implementation of the Mauritius-China Free Trade Agreement. As China’s first FTA with an African country, the agreement has boosted access to goods, services, and investment flows, benefiting both economies.
Ambassador Huang renewed China’s invitation to Mauritius to actively participate in two flagship trade and investment platforms of strategic importance—the China–Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) and the China International Import Expo (CIIE)—underscoring their potential to deepen economic engagement and expand market access. Ambassador Huang reaffirmed that these platforms not only offer Mauritius a gateway to the vast Chinese market but also reinforce its positioning as a trusted trade and investment partner in Africa.
Mr. Kundasamy and Ambassador Huang agreed on the importance of continued collaboration between the EDB and the Chinese Embassy, with a shared vision to transform strategic opportunities into concrete projects in emerging and priority sectors. The EDB reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Chinese investors and further positioning Mauritius as a preferred partner for regional and continental expansion.
