Relationship dossier
People's Republic of China
São Tomé and Príncipe
Relationship assessment
Relations restored in 2016 after São Tomé and Príncipe switched recognition from Taiwan to China
People's Republic of China toward São Tomé and Príncipe
+35China restored diplomatic relations with São Tomé and Príncipe in 2016 and has provided development assistance while pursuing bilateral cooperation.
São Tomé and Príncipe toward People's Republic of China
+20São Tomé and Príncipe ended diplomatic recognition of Taiwan and restored relations with China in 2016, aligning its official diplomatic position with Beijing's one-China policy.
Overall relationship
+25The relationship is shaped by its 2016 restoration after a two-decade rupture linked to São Tomé and Príncipe's recognition of Taiwan. Chinese development assistance and subsequent bilateral cooperation support a cooperative relationship, while its relatively recent restoration and the uncertain scope of implementation limit the evidence for a deeper partnership.
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 São Tomé and Príncipe restored diplomatic relations in December 2016 after São Tomé ended its recognition of Taiwan. Since the restoration, China has provided development assistance and the governments have pursued bilateral cooperation. The relationship is cooperative, though its scope and implementation are less clear than the major diplomatic realignment that reshaped it.
Areas of tension
- São Tomé and Príncipe's former diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, which led to the rupture in relations with China.
Key developments
São Tomé and Príncipe ended diplomatic relations with Taiwan and restored diplomatic relations with China.
Major uncertainties
- The scale and implementation of Chinese development assistance and bilateral cooperation are unclear.
- The extent of São Tomé and Príncipe's practical cooperation with China beyond diplomatic alignment is unclear.