Relationship dossier
People's Republic of China
Mali
Relationship assessment
Long-running cooperation includes Chinese-backed infrastructure and development assistance, alongside Chinese peacekeeping participation in Mali.
People's Republic of China toward Mali
+50China has provided development assistance and supported major infrastructure in Mali, including financing for Bamako's third bridge, which opened in 2011. Chinese peacekeepers also served in Mali under the UN mission, providing a further form of concrete engagement.
Mali toward People's Republic of China
+35Mali has pursued development cooperation with China and supports the One China policy. These positions accompany practical bilateral engagement, including cooperation on Chinese-supported infrastructure projects.
Overall relationship
+45The relationship has a sustained cooperative structure centered on development assistance, infrastructure and diplomatic engagement. Chinese participation in UN peacekeeping in Mali added a security-related element. The breadth and implementation of current projects and other cooperation remain 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 Mali have maintained a cooperative relationship involving Chinese-supported infrastructure and development assistance, as well as Chinese participation in UN peacekeeping in Mali. Mali has pursued cooperation with China and supports the One China policy. The relationship combines long-running practical engagement with ongoing reliance on the scope and implementation of bilateral projects.
Key developments
Bamako's third bridge, built with Chinese support and financing, opened to traffic.
Chinese peacekeepers served in Mali as part of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.
Major uncertainties
- The current scope and implementation of Chinese development projects in Mali are unclear.
- The scale and terms of bilateral economic and security cooperation are uncertain.