Relationship dossier
People's Republic of China
Libya
Relationship assessment
Economic cooperation and a 2023 strategic partnership underpin China–Libya ties.
People's Republic of China toward Libya
+30China has supported Libya’s sovereignty and a political settlement, and in 2023 agreed with Libya to establish a strategic partnership and signed cooperation agreements, including on Belt and Road cooperation.
Libya toward People's Republic of China
+30The Libyan government agreed in 2023 to establish a strategic partnership with China and signed bilateral cooperation agreements, including on Belt and Road cooperation.
Overall relationship
+30The relationship combines economic cooperation and political engagement, given concrete form through the 2023 strategic partnership and related agreements. Libya’s political division and conflict have constrained the setting for sustained implementation; the practical reach of the partnership remains uncertain.
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 Libya have pursued economic cooperation and closer political ties, including a 2023 strategic partnership and cooperation agreements. China has also supported Libya’s sovereignty and a political settlement. Libya’s prolonged political division and conflict have complicated the scope and implementation of cooperation.
Key developments
China and Libya agreed to establish a strategic partnership and signed bilateral cooperation agreements, including on Belt and Road cooperation.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of the 2023 cooperation agreements are unclear.
- The extent of practical bilateral cooperation under Libya’s divided political institutions is uncertain.