By Héribert-Label Élisée Adjovi – Chairman of the Xi’an Think Tank for Sino-African Cooperation and Development and Chairman of the African Journalists’ Caucus for the Global South Community Destiny
Introduction On December 29, 1972, the People’s Republic of China and Benin restored their diplomatic relations, opening a new era of cooperation. Fifty‑three years later, this relationship has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership, marked by political, economic, cultural, and scientific exchanges. Over the decades, Sino‑Beninese cooperation has shifted from technical and medical assistance to structural investments in infrastructure, trade, and education. It illustrates the will of both countries to build a lasting relationship, founded on South‑South solidarity and integration within the framework of FOCAC (Forum on China‑Africa Cooperation). Today, this cooperation is both a lever of development for Benin and a symbol of Africa’s openness to China, while also raising challenges related to trade balance and economic sovereignty.
Historical Context 1964: Initial establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Benin. In 1964, Benin (then called Dahomey) and the People’s Republic of China established official diplomatic relations for the first time. This act reflected a desire to open up to Beijing in the context of the Cold War, when China sought to strengthen ties with newly independent African nations. For its part, Benin, which had gained independence on August 1, 1960, was looking to diversify its alliances. This early cooperation focused on technical and medical assistance and a few infrastructure projects. However, this first phase could not withstand the Cold War context and pressure from Paris. In 1966, Cotonou unilaterally broke off relations with Beijing, before restoring them in 1972 under General Mathieu Kérékou.
December 29, 1972: Restoration of relations under President Mathieu Kérékou.
Diplomatic relations between China and Benin were restored, opening a new era of cooperation. This founding act marked the beginning of a partnership that gradually expanded and strengthened over the decades. Economically, it enabled the launch of the first structural projects (roads, hospitals, technical assistance, etc.). Socially and culturally, it included the deployment of Chinese medical missions, scholarships, and cultural exchanges. Symbolically, it marked Benin’s inclusion in the Pan‑African movement of openness toward Beijing, reinforcing South‑South solidarity. This 1972 event is considered the starting point of modern Sino‑Beninese cooperation, which, 53 years later, has become a comprehensive strategic partnership.
2023: State visit of President Patrice Talon to China, formalizing a strategic partnership.
Sino‑Beninese relations reached maturity during President Patrice Talon’s state visit to Beijing (August 31 – September 3, 2023), which brought major Chinese investments. Looking ahead, priorities include promoting Beninese products in China, strengthening scientific and digital cooperation, and consolidating a sustainable and equitable partnership, particularly to balance trade between the two countries.
2025: Joint evaluation of the strategic partnership in Cotonou On November 27, 2025, China and Benin held a joint evaluation of their strategic partnership in Cotonou. This diplomatic exercise aimed to: - Measure achievements: infrastructure, trade, health, education, and culture. - Identify challenges: trade imbalance, technological dependence, project sustainability. - Outline perspectives: strengthen local value‑added, develop scientific and digital cooperation, consolidate Beninese economic sovereignty.
Symbolic Significance - Marks 53 years since the restoration of diplomatic relations in 1972. - Confirms the will of both countries to sustain a strategic alliance. - Positions Benin as a key actor in Sino‑African cooperation.
Fifty‑three years after 1972, Sino‑Beninese cooperation has evolved from pragmatic relations into a strategic alliance, offering opportunities and hope in key areas: - Politics and diplomacy: Strengthening mutual trust and high‑level exchanges. - Economy and infrastructure: Chinese investments in roads, ports, telecommunications, and renewable energy. - Trade: Beninese exports (cotton, pineapple, cashew) to China, imports of manufactured goods. - Culture and education: Scholarships, Confucius Institutes, university exchanges, and scientific cooperation. - Health and social development: Chinese medical missions and health support.
The 53 years since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between China and Benin in 1972 (covering roads, hospitals, stadiums, administrative buildings, etc.) are marked by significant figures: more than 50 infrastructure projects completed, trade exchanges exceeding one billion US dollars since the early 2020s, and thousands of scholarships granted to Beninese students and professionals since the 1980s for studies and capacity-building programs in fields related to the labor market. Added to this is strengthened scientific cooperation in health, agriculture, and digital and green technologies. All of these achievements have been consolidated by enhanced political cooperation through the signing of a strategic partnership in 2023.
Conclusion Fifty‑three years after the restoration of diplomatic relations in 1972, Sino‑Beninese cooperation has established itself as a comprehensive strategic partnership, built on political trust, economic investment, and cultural exchange. It demonstrates the ability of both countries to transform a pragmatic relationship into a lasting alliance, embedded in the dynamics of South‑South solidarity. The future of this cooperation lies in leveraging mutually beneficial resources, scientific and digital innovation, and consolidating an equitable and inclusive partnership. In sum, Sino‑Beninese cooperation today is both a historical legacy and a lever for the future, offering opportunities for shared development.