China–Madagascar relations

The People's Republic of China and Madagascar established diplomatic ties on 6 November 1972. The two governments signed a trade agreement[2] in January 1974, a trade, economic and technical cooperation agreement[3] in June 1995, an agreement on the establishment of a mixed commission for economic and commercial cooperation and an agreement on bilateral investment promotion and protection[4] in November 2005.[5]

In March 2017, China and Madagascar established a comprehensive cooperation partnership, and the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on the joint promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative. Madagascar is among the first African countries to sign a cooperation document on BRI with China.[5]

In January 2019, He Wei, special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping and vice chairman of the National Committee of CPPCC, visited Madagascar and attended the inauguration ceremony of newly elected President Andry Rajoelina.[6] In November 2019, Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan visited Madagascar, met with President Rajoelina and Prime Minister Christian Ntsay, and visited the Chinese Medical Mission to Madagascar.[7]

According to the Malagasy customs, China has been Madagascar's biggest trading partner and biggest source of import since 2015. In 2018, the bilateral trade in goods increased 4.9%, reaching US$977 million, accounting for 14.1% of Madagascar's total trade.[5]

According to China's Ministry of Commerce, the flow of China's direct investment to Madagascar was US$55.6 million in 2018, and the stock of investment has reached US$803 million at the end of 2018.[5] The Chinese enterprises in Madagascar have carried out corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, contributing to the country's economic, social development and improving people's livelihood.[8]

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, China has assisted Madagascar in a number of economic and social projects, including the rehabilitation of the RN2 (Moramanga-Andranonampango), the construction of a Primary School for China-Africa Friendship, the construction of and technical support to the Sports and Cultural Palace, the International Conference Center at Ivato, and the Anosiala Hospital.[9]

In recent years, China has continued supporting the Chinese medical mission[10] and technical experts to Madagascar, deepened human resources development cooperation, and carried out a series of infrastructure and social projects, such as the expressway between Ivato Airport and the Boulevard de l'Europe, the Tsarasaotra-Ivato expressway, the "Eggs Road",[11] well-drilling, etc.[5] The assistance and cooperation have contributed to the socio-economic recovery of Madagascar and brought tangible benefits to the Malagasy people.[12]

In early 2019, the newly inaugurated President Rajoelina inspected the 200 well-drilling project in the south,[13] and attended the inauguration ceremonies of the extension and renovation project of the expressway linking Port Toamasina and the RN2[14] and the rehabilitation project of the RN5A in the north.[15]

From 2000 to 2011, there were approximately 19 Chinese official development finance projects identified in Madagascar through various media reports.[16] These projects range from developing a new 40.5 MW hydroelectric plant in the Betsiboka River basin with a loan from the Chinese Export Import Bank,[17] to the construction of an international conference center in Antananarivo.[18]