China and the Dominican Republic: an alliance that drives trade, investment and technology

At a reception held on Friday for Dominican journalists at the Chinese Embassy in Santo Domingo—an imposing tower that stands out among the buildings in the city center—Ambassador Chen Luning outlined a detailed overview of the current state of bilateral relations between China and the Dominican Republic.

His message was clear: for China, the Dominican Republic is a friend, a partner, and a key player in its expansion into the Caribbean and Central America.

It has been seven years since the two countries formalized diplomatic relations. Since then, Luning said, ties between the two nations have “intensified” and “mutual political trust continues to strengthen.”

Chinese Ambassador Chen Luning. Chinese Embassy

Trade, investment, agriculture, technology, and cooperation define the common agenda between the two countries.

“In China, the Dominican Republic is fundamentally considered a friend and a partner,” the diplomat told reporters.

He emphasized that the country is the largest trading partner in the entire Caribbean and Central American region, a position that reflects Beijing’s strategic importance to the Dominican market.

“Firm” trade

China maintains its position as the Dominican Republic’s second-largest trading partner, a position that it “holds firmly.”

According to data shared by the ambassador, bilateral trade exceeded $5 billion, and in the first three quarters of 2025 alone, it increased by 2.3%.

He explains that this growth is due to Chinese companies’ interest in investing and expanding in the country.

Ambassador Luning speaks with Dominican journalists. Chinese Embassy

Luning points out that three or four Chinese manufacturing companies have already set up factories within the free trade zone regime, particularly in Santiago, San Pedro de Macorís, and Las Américas.

The reason for this interest, according to Luning, is the Dominican Republic’s political and economic stability, combined with policies that “give preference to streamlining foreign investment.”

“It is a way that has greater potential for reinforcement,” says the diplomat.

“China’s technology and experience can serve to diversify and also promote the highest technological and industrial level in the Dominican Republic,” he says.

Agricultural cooperation

Agriculture is another area that China considers strategic for its relationship with the country.

Luning emphasizes that China is one of the world’s largest agricultural producers and has the capabilities to contribute to the modernization of the Dominican countryside.

For example, he mentioned the project with Bioarroz in Bonao, where Chinese technicians are working with the Dominican Ministry of Agriculture to introduce hybrid rice seeds and new planting and management techniques.

Dominican journalists pose with Ambassador Luning while holding a book by Chinese President Xi Jinping on China’s governance and administration. Chinese Embassy

The program has been running for four years and, according to the diplomat, has yielded “good results.”

China also sees opportunities to support Dominican production of fruit, coffee, and cocoa, as well as agricultural mechanization through the incorporation of Chinese-made machinery.

However, he points out that in agriculture, “much remains to be done to link the two countries.”

Donation of ambulances

China has also supported Santo Domingo with assistance and cooperation to “improve the well-being of its people.”

Ambassador Luning recalls something that many Dominicans see every day on the streets: the 120 ambulances donated by China, which strengthen the country’s emergency system.

The ambulances have “effectively strengthened emergency response capabilities,” he says.

“Respect, equality, and cooperation”

Ambassador Luning describes the current climate in both countries as a period of political trust, in which relations are guided by three principles: “Mutual respect, equal treatment, and mutually beneficial cooperation.”

These principles “constitute the permanent essence of relations between China and the Dominican Republic,” he emphasizes.

He says that the next step in deepening this alliance is outlined in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. This national development program defines the Asian country’s economic, technological, and social priorities every five years.

“China is willing to work together with the Dominican Republic and all countries around the world to ensure that the fruits of modernization benefit people more broadly and equitably, and to build a more prosperous and hopeful future for all of humanity,” he said.

China: economy, exports, rare earths

Ambassador Luning offered journalists an overview of China’s economic growth and social, commercial, and technological stability.

In 70 years, China’s GDP has grown 223-fold, while GDP per capita has grown 89-fold. The Chinese economy accounts for approximately 17% of the global economy.

GDP is expected to reach $20 trillion this year. Over the past five years, the country has maintained an average growth rate of 5.5%. Its contribution to global growth is around 30%.

“If China does well, the world will also do better,” says the ambassador.

China is the world’s leading exporter of automobiles. It produces more than 70% of global lithium batteries.

It supplies 70% of the world’s solar modules and 60% of wind power equipment. It provides 90% of the rare earths used by the global industry.

China has also lifted more than 800 million of its citizens out of poverty.

At the same time, the country has expanded its openness and become the leading trading partner of more than 150 countries and regions.

The ambassador recalled that, as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, China has promoted more than 200 infrastructure projects in Latin America, generating more than one million jobs.

Trade between China and the region reached $500 billion, a 40-fold increase since the beginning of the century.