ALGIERS, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The relations between China and Algeria have achieved substantial progress since the establishment of the diplomatic ties 59 years ago, and are expected to be further strengthened in the future.

The Sino-Algerian cooperation has already exceeded Algeria's collaboration with the European Union, Kamal Kheffache, an Algerian economic analyst, told Xinhua.

The core of China's competitiveness is its financial resources and the technological capabilities of Chinese companies that allow China to win mega projects and to deliver them on time based on international standards, Kheffache said.

According to Algerian Customs data, China is the largest exporter to Algeria during the first 10 months of 2017, with exports reaching 7.29 billion U.S. dollars, which accounts for 19.11 percent of the total imports by Algeria.

China is also a major investor in Algeria. Chinese companies have been extensively involved in the development of Algerian infrastructure, including the construction of the East-West Highway, the extension of the railway network and the duplication of tracks.

A Chinese consortium has recently been commissioned to build a mega port in the north of Algeria, in a deal worth 3.3 billion dollars.

The port is located in Cherchell in the El Hamdania coastal area in the province of Tipaza, 80 km west of Algiers. It was assigned to a joint venture company set up by Algeria's state-run Port Services Group and China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC).

Algerian Trade Minister Mohamed Benmeradi said the new port of Cherchell will help transport goods to Africa through the connection with the Trans-Saharan road.

Telecommunications, broadcasting and the Internet are also areas for bilateral cooperation between Algeria and China.

On Dec. 10, the Algerian satellite Alcomsat-1 was successfully launched by the Chinese Long March 3B launcher from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center station.

The launch is hailed as the culmination of serious long-term cooperation between the two countries in the field of space technology.

On the issue of trade inbalance, Kheffache suggested encouraging Chinese companies to invest in Algeria by creating joint ventures in the manufacturing sector to produce goods for exporting to China.

The thousands of Chinese who are living in Algeria and acquainted to the Algerian culture could also help promote and market Algerian products in China, he added.

Chinese car manufacturers, like Chery, Geely, Dongfeng and JAC, are already awaiting permission to install assembly plants in Algeria.