In September 1958, when the Algeria's interim government was established, China recognized it immediately, becoming the first non-Arab country to do so. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries on December 20 of the same year, the friendly and cooperative relations between the two sides in various fields have been developing continuously. Algeria made significant contributions to restoring China's legitimate seat in the United Nations as one of the co-sponsors (the other being Albania) in 1971. In February 2014, China and Algeria established a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The two countries have close high-level exchanges. During the first China-Arab States Summit in December 2022, President Xi Jinping met with Algerian Prime Minister Ayman Benabderrahmane. Visits from the Chinese side to Algeria mainly include: Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (December 2013), Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Yu Zhengsheng (November 2014), State Councilor Yang Jiechi (February 2015), State Councilor Wang Yong (May 2016), Vice Chairperson of the CPPCC National Committee Chen Yuan (December 2017), Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi (October 2020), State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (July 2021), Vice Premier of the State Council Liu Guozhong (January 2024).
Visits from the Algerian side to China or to attend diplomatic events in China: President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (July 2023), Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Attaf (May 2024, September 2024).
China has long been Algeria's largest trading partner. In 2024, the trade volume between China and Algeria reached USD 12.48 billion, of which China's exports amounted to USD 11.68 billion and imports totaled USD 800 million. China mainly exports mechanical and electrical products, steel products, and vehicles and spare parts, among others, and mainly imports petrochemical raw materials. Algeria is one of China's largest overseas contracting markets.
The two countries have maintained close people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Since the signing of the cultural cooperation agreement in 1963, the two countries have signed a total of 11 implementation plans for cultural cooperation. In recent years, the two sides have sent art groups to each other's important cultural and art festivals, which have been well received by the two peoples. In 2024, University of Algiers 2 opened the first Chinese language department at an Algerian university.
In 1963, China sent a medical team from Hubei Province to Algeria, the first Chinese medical aid team abroad.
In March 2006, Algeria became an outbound destination for package tours of Chinese citizens. In May 2023, package tours of Chinese citizens to Algeria were officially launched. At present, Air Algérie has opened direct flights from Algerie to Beijing, with two flights a week.