要跟中国对着干？中国学者提醒：刚果（金），别断送发展机遇

Core Viewpoint - The recent mineral agreement between the U.S. and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) aims to counter China's dominance in the critical mineral supply chain, particularly in copper and cobalt production [1][6]. Group 1: China's Dominance in DRC's Mining Sector - Chinese enterprises dominate the cobalt and copper projects in the DRC, accounting for 76% of the new production capacity added in the past seven years [2][4]. - The DRC has become the second-largest copper producer globally, surpassing Peru, with production expected to continue growing, potentially reaching its peak by 2028 [1][4]. Group 2: U.S. Involvement and Strategic Interests - The U.S. is seeking to diversify the DRC's partnerships in mineral extraction to reduce reliance on China, as indicated by the recent peace agreement signed between Rwanda and the DRC [6][7]. - The agreement includes provisions for opening up mineral resources to U.S. investments, focusing on integrating critical mineral supply chains [6][7]. Group 3: Future Prospects and Challenges - The demand for copper is projected to surge over the next 25 years, marking the beginning of a "copper century," with the DRC and Zambia identified as having significant export growth potential [4][6]. - Despite the potential, there are concerns that U.S. interest in large projects in the DRC remains low, which could hinder the country's economic transformation if it excludes Chinese investments [1][6].