Relationship dossier
People's Republic of China
Sudan
Relationship assessment
Close China–Sudan ties built on oil, investment and diplomatic engagement, with cooperation affected by Sudan’s conflict and political upheavals.
People's Republic of China toward Sudan
+65China supported Sudanese oil development through investment and the activities of Chinese state-owned energy companies, and has maintained diplomatic and economic engagement with Sudanese governments. Chinese arms sales and security cooperation have also been part of the relationship.
Sudan toward People's Republic of China
+50Sudanese governments have cultivated Chinese investment and energy-sector involvement and have supported Chinese positions in international forums. Sudan has also maintained security and diplomatic cooperation with China.
Overall relationship
+60The relationship has a durable foundation in Chinese participation in Sudan’s oil sector, infrastructure and investment, alongside diplomatic and security cooperation. South Sudan’s independence reduced Sudan’s oil output and changed the economic basis of the partnership; subsequent political upheavals and conflict have made the scale and continuity of cooperation less certain.
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 Sudan have maintained a close relationship shaped by oil development, infrastructure investment, arms and security ties, and diplomatic support. Chinese companies developed Sudanese oil resources before South Sudan’s 2011 independence sharply reduced Sudan’s oil production. China has continued political and economic engagement with Sudan, while Sudanese governments have supported Chinese positions in international forums. Sudan’s conflict and political upheavals complicate the scope and continuity of cooperation.
Key developments
Chinese state-owned companies became major participants in Sudan’s oil development, establishing a substantial economic partnership.
South Sudan became independent, taking most of the former united country’s oil production and substantially changing Sudan’s oil relationship with China.
Major uncertainties
- The scale and implementation of Chinese investment and economic cooperation amid Sudan’s conflict are unclear.
- The extent of current security cooperation and its continuity through Sudan’s political upheavals are uncertain.