I.Bilateral political relations

The People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea established diplomatic relations on October 15, 1970. Since then, bilateral relations have developed smoothly. In April 2015, the two countries established a comprehensive cooperative partnership featuring equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation. In May 2024, the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.

President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has visited China 12 times. In May 2024, President Obiang paid a state visit to China. In September 2024, President Obiang came to China to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. In July 2023, Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue came to China to attend the Eco Forum Global Guiyang.

In October 2021, President Xi Jinping had a phone call with President Obiang.

II.Bilateral economic and trade relations, and economic and technological cooperation

China and Equatorial Guinea have signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement and a trade agreement, and have set up a Mixed Economic and Trade Committee, which has held five meetings so far. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume between China and Equatorial Guinea reached 1.152 billion US dollars: China exported 170 million US dollars, and imported 982 million US dollars.In Equatorial Guinea, there are more than 20 contracting companies which mainly undertake projects on power, transportation, housing construction.

III.Cultural, educational and consular cooperation

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the exchanges and cooperation between China and Equatorial Guinea in such fields as culture, education and health have been continuously strengthened.

In 1982, the two countries signed an agreement on cultural cooperation. Equatorial Guinea students with the Chinese Government Scholarships have been studying in China since 1977. The total number of Equatorial Guinea students studying in China in the 2022-2023 academic year is 584, of which 201 are scholarship students. In October 2014, Center for Language Education and Cooperation of China signed a cooperation agreement with the National University of Equatorial Guinea on the establishment of Confucius Institutes. In May 2015, the Confucius Institute at the National University of Equatorial Guinea was established.In April 2015, during his visit to China, President Obiang announced his donation to build the “China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Primary School” in Jinping County, Yunnan Province. In February 2020, Equatorial Guinea donated 2 million US dollars to support China’s fight against COVID-19. In February and April 2021, China provided two batches of COVID-19 vaccine to Equatorial Guinea.

In June 1971, the two countries signed the Protocol on the agreement of the Chinese government to send medical teams to Equatorial Guinea. So far, China has sent 33 batches of medical teams with 639 personnel to work in Malabo and Bata.

China and Equatorial Guinea signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, service and official passports in October 2005, which came into force in January 2006. On July 7, 2017, the two sides extended the visa-free coverage to Chinese citizens holding passports for public affairs and Equatorial Guinean citizens holding special service passports, effective from August 6, 2017. In June 2014, the Consulate General in Bata was opened. On October 30, 2024, the Consulate General in Bata was temporarily closed.

IV.Important bilateral agreements and documents

Communique between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations  (signed in October 1970);

Joint Statement between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea on the Establishment of Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership (signed in April 2015);

Joint Statement between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea on the Establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership  (signed in May 2024);

Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea on Cooperation within the Framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative (signed in January 2019).