Bolivia–China relations are foreign relations between the

Plurinational State of Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...

and

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 List of countries and dependencies by population, most populous country, with a Population of China, population exceeding 1.4 billion, slig ...

. Relations between both nations officially began on July 9, 1985. Both nations are members of the

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmoni ...

History

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Bolivia in 1985, relations have expanded from economic and cultural ties to military, transport, infrastructure, raw materials, education and other areas. The two countries celebrated 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties in

Beijing } Beijing ( ; ; ), Chinese postal romanization, alternatively romanized as Peking ( ), is the Capital city, capital of the China, People's Republic of China. It is the center of power and development of the country. Beijing is the world's Li ...

, July 9, 2010. In August 2010, China and Bolivia agreed to continue to develop military ties and cooperation.

Bilateral relations

Bilateral trade began from very low volumes at approximately $4 million. This increase to over $27.76 million in 2002. China's exports to Bolivia includes hardware, machinery, light industrial goods, textiles and daily necessities. Bolivian exports to China were lumber and mineral ore. China provided support for the establishment of the

Bolivian Space Agency The Bolivian Space Agency ( es, Agencia Boliviana Espacial, ABE) is the national space agency of Bolivia. Established in 2010, the agency is responsible for developing and implementing communications satellite programs and other space projects. O ...

and the launch of its first satellite in 2014 for a total cost of US$300 million. China and also provides loans, e.g. of 67 million dollars to upgrade infrastructure in the Oruro region. A Chinese firm is a partner in a lithium mining operation in Bolivia valued at $2.3 billion.

Surveillance systems

In 2019, China developed the purpose of overhauling the Bolivian security system worth more than 105 million dollars. This system comprises new surveillance cameras, drones, automated evidence processing systems, and increased manpower to manage each of these new technologies, which have been collectively dubbed the BOL 110. The Bolivian Government said BOL 110 implementing artificial intelligence to counter crime. Some individuals have expressed concern about the nature and the pervasiveness of these technologies, however, and how they may be used to create a Bolivian police state. The recent employment of dubious surveillance and manipulation tactics by the Bolivian government may validate these concerns, with some scholars going so far as to warn that similar systems can encourage authoritarian practices.

Resident diplomatic missions

* Bolivia has an embassy in

. * China has an embassy in

La Paz La Paz (), officially known as Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Spanish pronunciation: ), is the seat of government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. With an estimated 816,044 residents as of 2020, La Paz is the third-most populous city in Bol ...

and a consulate-general in

Santa Cruz de la Sierra Santa Cruz de la Sierra (; "Holy Cross of the Mountain Range"), commonly known as Santa Cruz, is the largest city in Bolivia and the capital of the Santa Cruz department. Situated on the Pirai River in the eastern Tropical Lowlands of Bolivia ...

.Embassy of China in La Paz
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Bibliography

References

External links

Chinese Embassy in Bolivia
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bolivia - China Relations Bilateral relations of China

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, most populous country, with a Population of China, population exceeding 1.4 billion, slig ...