Summary:

On 11 March 2025, Tripoli-based Minister of Labor and Rehabilitation, Ali Al-Abed, met with the Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of China, Lu Jian, to discuss bilateral cooperation. 

The two officials discussed the establishment of a Libyan-Chinese training center in Benghazi to qualify Libyan students in technical fields in accordance with international standards. They also discussed a draft of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining the mobility of labor and coordinating vocational training.  

Al-Abed and Lu Jian addressed mechanisms to accelerate the return of Chinese companies to Libya, including resuming development projects that have been stalled for years. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohammad Younes Menfi previously announced in September 2024 the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries. 

Outlook: 

The recent discussions between Libyan and Chinese officials indicate China’s intention to strengthen ties with Tripoli while maintaining good relations with Haftar in the East. These diplomatic efforts by China come at a point when Libya is emerging as a strategic zone of influence for a number of global actors, including Russia, the US, France, and Italy. 

Discussions on establishing a training center in Benghazi, which is under Haftar’s control, with the Tripoli-based government is likely intended to demonstrate China’s commitment to balancing support to both governments without aligning with a particular side. 

The resumption of stalled Chinese projects in Libya is likely to boost efforts to rebuild foreign firms’ confidence in the Libyan business climate. 

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