Benin – China relations refers to the current and historical relationship between

Benin Benin ( , ; french: Bénin , ff, Benen), officially the Republic of Benin (french: République du Bénin), and formerly Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the nort ...

and the

People's Republic of China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...

History

Relations first established bilateral relations on November 12, 1964. In January 1966, Benin recognized the Republic of China (Taiwan) and withdrew relations from the People's Republic. Benin and PR China reestablished relations in December 1972 under the regime of

Mathieu Kérékou Mathieu Kérékou (; 2 September 1933 – 14 October 2015) was a Beninese politician who served as President of Benin from 1972 to 1991 and again from 1996 to 2006. After seizing power in a military coup, he ruled the country for 19 years, for ...

in Benin. Benin and PR China regularly exchanged high level visits, with Kérékou personally visiting Beijing in 1976, 1986 and 1998. Relations have focused on commercial development. Since 1972, Benin has supported PR China's

One China Policy The term One China may refer to one of the following: * The One China principle is the position held by the People's Republic of China (PRC) that there is only one sovereign state under the name China, with the PRC serving as the sole legit ...

.China and Benin Issue a Joint Communiqué
Foreign Ministry of PR China, August 2006

Economic development

China has aided Benin in the creation of a number of public works projects, including a hospital in Lokossa and Cotonou Friendship Stadium. More recent Chinese development finance to Benin includes a 160 million yuan grant for construction of an overpass in Cotonou as well as the construction of an Economy and Trade Development Center. Zhejiang Tianshi International Economic and Technological Cooperation Co completed construction of the center in 2009 at a total cost of 50 million yuan. In the 1990s and 2000s, Benin was a major consumer of Chinese goods; for example, in 2002, the total trade value of exchanges between the two countries was approximately US$437 million; Benin exported about 17 million US dollars' worth of goods to China, while Benin imported 420 million US dollars' worth of Chinese goods. In March 2018, President

Patrice Talon Patrice Guillaume Athanase Talon (born 1 May 1958) is a Beninese politician and businessman who has been President of Benin since 6 April 2016. Early life and career Talon is of Fon origin and was born in Ouidah. He descends from slave trader ...

approved China to develop a railway linking Cotonou with

Niamey Niamey () is the capital and largest city of Niger. Niamey lies on the Niger River, primarily situated on the east bank. Niamey's population was counted as 1,026,848 as of the 2012 census. As of 2017, population projections show the capital dis ...

, with an estimated cost of US$4 billion.

Cultural relations

Following the establishment of relations, China founded a "China Cultural Center" in Cotonou. Approximately 25 Beninese students study yearly in China.Benin
Chinese Foreign Ministry report, 2006 The China Cultural Center in Benin was opened to the public in 1988. In this center more than hundred Benin people study Chinese language very year. Conferences and exhibitions on Chinese culture are also held in this center.

References

China Bilateral relations of China Africa–China relations {{Bilateralrelations-stub