Relationship dossier
Bolivia
People's Republic of China
Relationship assessment
Bolivia-China ties feature sustained cooperation in infrastructure, technology, trade and lithium development.
Bolivia toward People's Republic of China
+40Bolivia has pursued Chinese investment and financing for infrastructure and technology projects, including the Túpac Katari satellite, and has entered lithium-development agreements with Chinese firms. These actions reflect an active policy of economic and technological cooperation with China.
People's Republic of China toward Bolivia
+40Chinese firms have supplied major technology and infrastructure for Bolivia, including the Túpac Katari satellite, and Chinese companies have entered agreements to develop Bolivian lithium resources. Chinese financing and investment have been important features of bilateral economic cooperation.
Overall relationship
+40The relationship has a durable cooperative structure, with repeated Chinese participation in Bolivian infrastructure and technology projects and continuing efforts to develop lithium resources. Trade and investment reinforce these ties, although implementation and financial terms vary across projects.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Bolivia and China have developed a substantially cooperative relationship centered on investment, infrastructure, technology and trade. Bolivia has pursued Chinese-backed projects and lithium partnerships, while Chinese firms have supplied major infrastructure and technology, including Bolivia’s Túpac Katari communications satellite. The breadth of cooperation is notable, though the scope and implementation of some investment projects remain uncertain.
Key developments
Bolivia and China established diplomatic relations.
Bolivia’s Túpac Katari communications satellite, built with Chinese cooperation, was launched.
Bolivia’s state lithium company signed agreements with a Chinese consortium for direct lithium extraction projects.
Major uncertainties
- The extent to which announced Chinese investment and lithium projects have been implemented is unclear.
- The scale and terms of Bolivia’s financial obligations to Chinese lenders are uncertain.