Xi Congratulates São Tomé President on Re-election, Reaffirming China-Africa Partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a formal congratulatory message to Carlos Vila Nova on July 29 following his re-election as President of São Tomé and Príncipe, reaffirming Beijing’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework.

Vila Nova secured a second five-year term in the July 19 presidential election with 55.94% of the vote, defeating main opposition candidate Nito Abreu of the Independent Democratic Action (ADI) party, who received 41.42%, according to election results compiled on Wikipedia. The election was marked by a record-low turnout of approximately 41%, with only 58,906 of 142,191 registered voters casting ballots.

A Message of Continuity and Cooperation

In his congratulatory message, published by Xinhua News Agency, Xi highlighted the positive trajectory of relations between China and São Tomé and Príncipe in recent years. “China-STP relations have maintained a good development momentum, with continuous deepening of political mutual trust, firm mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and remarkable results in practical cooperation in various fields,” Xi stated.

The Chinese president emphasized his commitment to advancing the bilateral strategic partnership, expressing readiness to work with Vila Nova to implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit as a means to continuously elevate the partnership to new levels, better benefiting the two peoples.

A Complex Diplomatic History

The relationship between China and São Tomé and Príncipe has undergone significant shifts shaped by the cross-strait rivalry between Beijing and Taipei. Diplomatic ties were first established in 1975 following the island nation’s independence from Portugal. However, in 1997, São Tomé switched diplomatic recognition to Taiwan, prompting China to suspend relations.

The diplomatic trajectory shifted dramatically in December 2016 when São Tomé terminated its ties with Taiwan and re-established relations with Beijing, as documented in the historical context of China–São Tomé and Príncipe relations. The move reportedly followed Taiwan’s rejection of a request for approximately $200 million in development aid. Since then, China has provided substantial financial support, canceling $17.3 million in bilateral debt and pledging $146 million in grants for infrastructure projects, including airport modernization and a deep-sea container port. São Tomé also became the 142nd partner country of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Incumbent President Vila Nova, who was first elected in 2021, ran as an independent in this election with support from the MLSTP–PSD party. His campaign emphasized political stability and national unity, while Abreu, who conceded defeat, pledged to fight corruption and address voter concerns about the direction of the country.

Strategic Significance and Regional Context

The congratulatory message, while a routine diplomatic gesture, carries strategic weight. By explicitly invoking the FOCAC framework, Xi signals that São Tomé and Príncipe remains a priority for Beijing’s engagement with Africa, particularly as competition for influence on the continent intensifies.

As Deutsche Welle reported, São Tomé and Príncipe’s location in the Gulf of Guinea — a region crossed by major international shipping lanes and home to significant oil and gas reserves — gives it strategic importance far beyond its population of approximately 245,000. The archipelago has drawn increased international attention, including through an open-ended military cooperation agreement signed with Russia in April 2024, which has heightened geopolitical interest in the country’s foreign policy trajectory.

The election also highlighted domestic political challenges. The record-low turnout reflected voter fatigue and disillusionment, particularly following a constitutional crisis in January 2025 when Vila Nova dismissed Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada and his government — a move later declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court but without retroactive effect. The resulting political instability and the ongoing split within the ADI party have complicated governance ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

What to Watch

Legislative elections scheduled for September 27, 2026, will serve as a key test of political stability and the balance of power between Vila Nova’s supporters and the ADI opposition. Meanwhile, the progress of China-funded infrastructure projects, including the São Tomé International Airport expansion and the planned deep-sea port, will be closely watched as indicators of the bilateral relationship’s concrete trajectory. For Beijing, the reaffirmation of ties with Vila Nova’s administration represents continued return on its diplomatic investment in a strategically located island nation that serves as a notable example of Beijing’s successful competition with Taiwan for international recognition.

The ECNS English-language edition of the report on Xi’s message underscored that the message was received as a signal of strengthened partnership between the two nations under the broader framework of China-Africa cooperation.