1. Bilateral political relations
The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Malawi established diplomatic relations on December 28, 2007. Since then, relations between the two countries have developed smoothly. In September 2024, President Xi Jinping met with President Lazarus Mccarthy Chakwera who came to China to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The two heads of state announced the elevation of bilateral relations to strategic partnership.
In recent years, the two countries enjoyed frequent high-level exchanges. In August 2023, President Xi Jinping met with President Lazarus Mccarthy Chakwera during the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Main visits from the Chinese side include: Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (January 2016), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Cai Dafeng (May 2024). Main visits from the Malawian side include: in September 2018, President Peter Mutharika came to China to attend the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. In June 2023, President Lazarus Mccarthy Chakwera was invited to attend the 3rd China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo held in Changsha, Hunan Province. In January 2024, the General Secretary of the Malawian Congress Party, Mukaka, visited China; In August, President of Parliament of Malawi, Hala,was invited to attend the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the National People's Congress of China's membership in the Inter-Parliamentary Union; In September, President Lazarus Mccarthy Chakwera was invited to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
2. Bilateral economic and trade relations
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Malawi economic and trade cooperation has developed rapidly. In January 2024, Malawi joined the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement. In April, the first batch of Malawi soybeans arrived at Dalian Port. In December 2024, China started to give Malawi zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tarriff lines. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume between China and Malawi was 259 million US dollars, of which China exported 246 million US dollars to Malawi and imported 13.72 million US dollars from Malawi. China mainly exports textiles, clothing, furniture, mechanical and electrical products, while importing agricultural products such as cotton, tobacco and tea.
3. Exchanges and cooperation in other areas
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have extensively cooperated in areas such as culture, education, health, sports, journalism, youth and women. China has sent medical teams and young volunteers to Malawi and received Malawian students and various personnel for studying and training. In January 2012, Malawi became a destination for Chinese citizens to travel abroad in groups. In 2024, Malawi has implemented a visa-free policy for Chinese citizens.
4. Important bilateral agreements
Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Malawi (2007)
Cultural Agreement Between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Malawi (2010)
Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Malawi on Cooperation Within the Framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative (2022)