I.Bilateral political relations
The People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Togo established diplomatic relations on September 19, 1972. Since then, the China-Togo relations have developed smoothly. In September 2024, China and Togo established a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The important Chinese delegations to Togo include:
State Councilor WU Yi (January 2000), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress XU Jialu (May 2001); Vice President ZENG Qinghong (June 2004); Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China WANG Jiarui (February 2008); Foreign Minister YANG Jiechi (February 2011); Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference LUO Fuhe (November 2011); Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress JI Bingxuan (May 2017)；Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference GU Shengzu (July 2019), Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Foreign Minister WANG Yi (January 2024).
The important Togolese delegations to China include:
President GNASSINGBE Eyadéma (August 1974, September 1981, April 1989, November 1995, October 2000); President of the National Assembly Fambaré Ouattara NATCHABA (May 2004); President Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE (in February 2006 and May 2016 for state visit, November 2006, September 2018 and in September 2024 to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, in August 2010 for the celebration of the Day of Togo Pavilion at Shanghai Expo); President of the National Assembly Dama DRAMANI (in August 2015 to attend the China-Africa People’s Forum).
II. Bilateral economic and trade relations, and economic and technological cooperation
China is now Togo’s major source of imports.
In 2024, the bilateral trade volum between China and Togo reached 3.5 billion US dollars. China’s exports to Togo amounted to 3.28 billion US dollars, while Togo’s exports to China were 210 million US dollars.
The China-Togo Mixed Committee on Economy and Trade has held two meetings so far.
Chinese companies have been engaged in project contracting in Togo since 1991. The projects undertaken are concentrated in the fields of road and airport construction, telecommunication and electricity.
III. Cooperation in culture, education and other areas
The two governments have signed agreements on cultural and educational cooperation as well as the protocol for dispatching Chinese medical teams to Togo.
During the academic year 2022/2023, there were in total 252 students from Togo in China, and 79 of them received scholarships from the Chinese government.
Since 1974, China has sent 27 medical teams to Togo, with a total of 563 members.
At present, the Chinese medical team in Togo consists of 18 personnel.
In 1996, the city of Lome, capital of Togo and the Chinese city of Shenzhen established sister-city relationship.
In 2009, a Confucius Institute was inaugurated at the University of Lome. From then on, more than 2,000 students have graduated from this institute.
IV. Important bilateral agreements and documents
Joint Communique between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Togo on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations (signed on September 19, 1972);
Joint Communique between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Togo (signed on June 24, 2004);
Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Togo on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Sevice Passports (validated on May 7, 2015);
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Togo on Cooperation within the Framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative (signed on September 6, 2018).