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Bahrain–China relations refer to the
bilateral relations Bilateralism is the conduct of political, economic, or cultural relations between two sovereign states. It is in contrast to unilateralism or multilateralism, which is activity by a single state or jointly by multiple states, respectively. When ...
between the
Kingdom of Bahrain Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia. Situated on the Persian Gulf, it comprises a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and an additional 33 artificial islands, centered on Bahrain Island, which mak ...
and the
People's Republic of China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
.


History

On April 18, 1989,
China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
and
Bahrain Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia. Situated on the Persian Gulf, it comprises a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and an additional 33 artificial islands, centered on Bahrain Island, which mak ...
formally established diplomatic relations. After the establishment of diplomatic relations, the relationship between the two countries developed smoothly. Bahrain Prime Minister
Khalifa ''Khalifa'' or ''Khalifah'' (; commonly "caliph" in English) is a name or title which means "successor", "ruler" or "leader". It most commonly refers to the leader of a Caliphate, but is also used as a title among various Islamic religious groups ...
visited China in 2002. On March 29, 2021, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Bahrain. Bahraini King Hamad hosted a banquet for Wang Yi. Subsequently, the
Crown Prince of Bahrain The crown prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain () is the heir apparent to the King of Bahrain and official heir presumptive to King of Bahrain. Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was sworn in as ''Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain'' on 9 March 1999 and ...
and
Prime Minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...
Salman Salman may refer to: People * Salman (name), people with the name Places in Iran * Salman, Khuzestan, a village in Khuzestan Province * Salman, alternate name of Deh-e Salman, Lorestan, a village in Lorestan Province * Salman, Razavi Khorasa ...
met with Wang Yi in
Manama Manama ( ', Bahrani Arabic, Bahrani pronunciation: ) is the capital and List of cities in Bahrain, largest city of Bahrain, with an approximate population of 297,502 as of 2012. Long an important trading center in the Persian Gulf, Manama is ...
. On the same day, Wang Yi held talks with Bahraini Foreign Minister Zayani. Both sides expressed their willingness to strengthen the connection between the "2030 Economic Development Vision" and the "
Belt and Road The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI or B&R), known in China as the One Belt One Road and sometimes referred to as the New Silk Road, is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the government of China in 2013 to invest in more t ...
" initiative and expand cooperation between the two countries in trade, investment, energy, science and technology, infrastructure and other fields. Finally, the two sides signed the China-Bahrain Cultural Center Agreement and the Implementation Plan for Cultural Cooperation between the Two Countries. During the visit of the
King of Bahrain The king of the Kingdom of Bahrain ( ) is the monarch and head of state of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The House of Khalifa has been the ruling family since 1783. Between 1783 and 1971, the Bahraini monarch held the title of hakim, and, from 1971 ...
to China in May 2024, China and Bahrain established a comprehensive strategic partnership.


Economic Relations between China and Bahrain

The economic relationship between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Bahrain has grown steadily since the establishment of diplomatic relations on April 18, 1989.Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China – China-Bahrain Relations
/ref> Over the years, the two nations have expanded their cooperation across sectors such as trade, investment, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange.


Trade and Investment

In 2022, the total trade volume between China and Bahrain reached approximately US$2.36 billion. China's exports to Bahrain were valued at around US$2.25 billion, while imports from Bahrain stood at US$110 million, with raw aluminum constituting a major portion of Bahrain’s exports to China.Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington – A Flurry of Activity in Bahrain-China Relations
/ref> China is Bahrain's largest import partner, supplying mechanical and electrical products, high-tech items, and textiles.


Strategic Partnership

In May 2024,
General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party The general secretary of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party ( zh, s=中国共产党中央委员会总书记, p=Zhōngguó Gòngchǎndǎng Zhōngyāng Wěiyuánhuì Zǒngshūjì) is the leader of the Chinese Communist Part ...
Xi Jinping Xi Jinping, pronounced (born 15 June 1953) is a Chinese politician who has been the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (China), chairman of the Central Military Commission ...
and
King King is a royal title given to a male monarch. A king is an Absolute monarchy, absolute monarch if he holds unrestricted Government, governmental power or exercises full sovereignty over a nation. Conversely, he is a Constitutional monarchy, ...
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (born 28 January 1950) is King of Bahrain since 1999. He is a member of the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty. Early life and education Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was born on 28 January 1950 in Riffa, Bahrain. ...
announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Bahrain. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in energy, transportation, investment, renewable energy, and the digital economy.China and Bahrain Establish Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
/ref> Both nations also emphasized expanding cultural and people-to-people exchanges.


Infrastructure and Development Projects

Chinese firms have participated extensively in Bahrain's infrastructure sector. The China Machinery Engineering Corporation and Power Construction Corporation of China have initiated projects valued at a combined US$1.42 billion, including major real estate and utilities developments. In January 2024, the first phase of a housing project in Sitra, providing nearly 3,000 units, was inaugurated.


Financial Collaboration

In April 2024, Bahrain-based Investcorp, in partnership with China's sovereign wealth fund
China Investment Corporation China Investment Corporation (CIC) is a sovereign wealth fund that manages part of China's foreign exchange reserves. China's largest sovereign fund, CIC was established in 2007 with about US$200 billion of assets under management. In Mar ...
(CIC), launched a US$1 billion fund targeting high-growth sectors such as consumer goods, healthcare, logistics, and business services across the Gulf and China.Reuters – Bahrain's Investcorp Sets Up $1 Billion Fund With China's CIC
/ref>


Cultural and Educational Exchanges

In 2014, the
University of Bahrain The University of Bahrain (), often abbreviated as UOB, is a public university in Bahrain. Established by royal decree in 1986, it has since become the largest institution of higher education in Bahrain, with three campuses ( Sakhir, Isa Town, an ...
established a
Confucius Institute Confucius Institutes (CI; ) are public educational and cultural promotion programs of the state of China. The stated aim of the program is to promote Chinese language and culture, support local Chinese teaching internationally, and facilita ...
to promote Chinese language and culture. In addition, both countries have signed agreements to open cultural centers in their respective capitals, enhancing mutual cultural understanding.


References

{{Foreign relations of China Bilateral relations of Bahrain Bilateral relations of China