Refining Relations: Chad’s Growing Links with China

Since resuming official ties in 2006, China has become a significant economic partner for Chad, primarily through the $1 billion Rônier oil project. While this partnership has provided President Idriss Déby with political and economic leverage, it has also faced tensions over petroleum pricing and relies on a security framework led by France.

• Chad shifted its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing on 6 August 2006, a tactical move by President Idriss Déby to ensure regime survival through access to aid, investment, and military assistance from a permanent UN Security Council member.
• The Rônier project is the central element of Sino-Chadian economic ties, consisting of a 311 km pipeline and a refinery in Djarmaya. The $1 billion project was funded by the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and the China Exim Bank, with the Chadian state holding a 40% share in the refinery company.
• The Rônier project's initial capacity included oilfield production of 20,000 barrels a day (potentially increasing to 60,000) and a refinery capacity of 40,000 barrels a day. A connected power plant produces 40 MW, with 20 MW allocated to the national electricity company, though this is insufficient for N’Djamena's 100 MW demand.
• A significant dispute arose between the CNPC and the Chadian government over petroleum pricing. President Déby announced a 'social' price of XAF 200 per litre to fulfill campaign promises, which conflicted with the market prices needed for the CNPC to recover its investment, leading to the refinery's shutdown on 19 January 2012.
• China's security strategy in the region involves a 'de facto division of labour' where it focuses on economic investment while relying on the French military to lead the security response and maintain the stability of the Déby government.
• China has engaged in shuttle diplomacy between Khartoum and N’Djamena to improve Chad–Sudan relations, primarily to protect its own bilateral interests and investments from regional conflicts.

APA

Dittgen, R., & Large, D. (2012). Refining Relations: Chad’s Growing Links with China. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Policy-Briefing-48.pdf

Chicago

Dittgen, Romain, and Daniel Large. Refining Relations: Chad’s Growing Links with China. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2012. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Policy-Briefing-48.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Dittgen |first1=Romain |last2=Large |first2=Daniel |title=Refining Relations: Chad’s Growing Links with China |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=June 2012 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Policy-Briefing-48.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{dittgen2012refining, author = {Dittgen, Romain and Large, Daniel}, title = {{Refining Relations: Chad’s Growing Links with China}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2012}, month = jun, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Policy-Briefing-48.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }