Relationship dossier
People's Republic of China
Cuba
Relationship assessment
Close political partnership with economic cooperation and shared diplomatic positions
People's Republic of China toward Cuba
+65China has maintained high-level political engagement with Cuba and provided economic cooperation, including support and financing. Chinese leaders have publicly opposed the U.S. embargo on Cuba, and the two governments have expanded cooperation through bilateral agreements and the Belt and Road framework.
Cuba toward People's Republic of China
+60Cuba has maintained close government cooperation with China and supported the One China principle. Cuban officials have backed Chinese positions on sovereignty issues in international forums, while the two governments have pursued bilateral economic and political agreements.
Overall relationship
+60The relationship is a durable political partnership with reciprocal diplomatic support, high-level engagement, and economic cooperation. Shared opposition to U.S. pressure on Cuba and coordination on sovereignty issues reinforce the ties, although the depth and results of economic cooperation are less clear.
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
China and Cuba maintain a close political partnership reinforced by high-level visits, economic cooperation, and shared diplomatic positions. China has supported Cuba in opposing the U.S. embargo, while Cuba has backed China on key sovereignty issues, including the One China principle. Their cooperation is substantial, though its economic scope and practical impact are less extensive than the political relationship.
Key developments
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Cuba and held talks with Cuban leaders, advancing bilateral political and economic cooperation.
China and Cuba signed a memorandum on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel in Beijing, reaffirming bilateral cooperation.
Major uncertainties
- The scale and implementation of Chinese economic support and investment in Cuba are unclear.
- The scope and practical effects of bilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road framework are uncertain.