Bilateral political relations

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Madagascar on November 6, 1972, the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries have developed smoothly. In March 2017, China and Madagascar established a comprehensive cooperative partnership. In September 2024, their relationship was upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Important visits to Madagascar by Chinese side include: Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC) (July 2023), Hu Chunhua, Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping, Vice Chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) (December 2023), Zhong Shan, Chairman of the Finance and Economics Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) (September 2024), Mu Hong, Vice Chairman of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC (October 2024), Wan Lijun, Chairman of the 11th Committee of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (ACFROC) (December 2024), Shen Xiaoming, Secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee (December 2024), etc.

Important visits to China by Malagasy side include: Minister of Foreign Affairs Yvette Sylla (attended the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in June 2023), President Andry Rajoelina (attended the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September 2024), Prime Minister Christian Ntsay (attended the fifth China-Africa Local Government Cooperation Forum in July 2024), President of the Senate Richard Ravalomanana (attended the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of China's National People's Congress' (NPC) affiliation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, as well as the 2024 interregional seminar on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for parliaments of developing countries in August 2024), President of the National Assembly Justin Tokely (attended the 2024 China International Confucius Cultural Festival in September 2024), Minister of Foreign Affairs Rasata Rafaravavitafika (attended the second high-level conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development in July 2024), etc. 

Bilateral Economic and Trade Relations and Economic-Technical Cooperation

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Madagascar economic and trade relations and economic and technological cooperation have made smooth progress. The two countries have signed agreement for the reciprocal promotion and protection of investments, trade agreement and protocol for the establishment of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee. China has provided assistance to Madagascar since 1972, and has built sugar factory, pharmaceutical factory, roads, gymnasium, international conference center, schools and other projects for Madagascar. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume was $1.68 billion. China mainly exports textile yarns, electronic products, mechanical and electrical products, etc., and imports mineral products, agricultural products, etc. 

Exchanges and Cooperation in Culture, Education, Health and Other Fields  

In 1980, the two countries signed cultural cooperation agreement. Madagascar has two Confucius Institutes, one at the University of Antananarivo, and the other at the University of Toamasina, and Confucius class at Le Petit Nid. China has provided scholarship quotas to Madagascar since 1973. In the 2022-2023 academic year, the total number of Malagasy students studying in China was 888, including 138 students benefiting from Chinese government scholarship. China has sent medical teams to Madagascar since 1975. There are currently 4 Chinese medical aid sites in Madagascar, and 23 batches 687 people in total have been sent so far. After the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic, the two sides actively carried out anti-epidemic cooperation, and China provided anti-epidemic material assistance to Madagascar.