China

Visa regime

Starting from November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025, holders of ordinary passports who are citizens of Montenegro can travel visa-free to China for business and tourism purposes, visits to relatives and friends, exchanges and transit for a period not exceeding 30 days. Those who do not meet the requirements for visa-free entry to China must still apply for a Chinese visa before entering the country.

Bilateral Relations

There are traditionally good and friendly relations between the two countries, which are characterized by continuous improvement both bilaterally as well as through the Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (China-CEEC Cooperation) and the Belt and Road Initiative.

Diplomatic Relations Overview

The People's Republic of China recognized the independence of Montenegro on June 14, 2006. Diplomatic relations were established on July 6, 2006.

On September 6, 2018, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Montenegro, Liu Yin, presented his credentials to the President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović.

Political Contacts

On May 26, 2021, the President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović had a telephone conversation with the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping. 

Contacts at the highest and high political level, as well as at the working level, are mostly made through the China-CEEC Cooperation: 

On February 9, 2021, the President of Montenegro Milo Đukanović participated at the video-conference IX Summit within the China-CEEC Cooperation.

On the sidelines of the VIII Summit of Heads of Governments of China and 16 Central and Eastern European Countries held in Dubrovnik on April 12, 2019, the Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković met with the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Li Keqiang.

On the sidelines of the VII Summit of Heads of Governments of China and 16 Central and Eastern European Countries held in Sofia on July 7, 2018, the Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković met with the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Li Keqiang.

On the sidelines of the VI Summit of the Heads of Governments of China and 16 Central and Eastern European Countries held in Budapest on November 27, 2017, the Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković met with the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Li Keqiang.

Bilateral visits

From May 31 to June 4, 2018, the President of the Parliament of Montenegro Ivan Brajović paid an official visit to the People's Republic of China, at the invitation of the Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Wang Yang. During the visit, the President of the Parliament of Montenegro also met with the Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, Li Zhanshu.

From 24 to 26 May, 2017, Vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Ma Peihua visited Montenegro and, on that occasion, met with the President of Montenegro Filip Vujanović, the President of the Parliament of Montenegro Ivan Brajović and the Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković.

Economic Cooperation 

In the period from January to November 2021, the trade exchange between Montenegro and the People's Republic of China amounted 223,5 milion euros, of which imports amounted 220,1 milion euros, while exports amounted 3,4 milion euros. Total trade exchange in 2020 amounted to 240,1 million euros (of which imports were 218 million euros and exports  22,1 million euros). 

In the period from January to October 2021, investments from the People's Republic of China to Montenegro amounted 3,9 milion euros. Direct investments in 2020 amounted to 71,2 milion euros.

In the period from January to November 2021, Montenegro was visited by 1,554 tourists from the People's Republic of China who spent 3,350 overnight stays. In 2020, our country was visited by 2,788 Chinese tourists, who spent 5,146 overnight stays. 

Overview of other information

Donations from the People's Republic of China in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic:

In February 2021, the People's Republic of China donated 30,000 doses of the "Sinopharm" vaccine to Montenegro.

During 2020, Montenegro received donations, in the form of medical equipment, from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Podgorica, Chinese companies, the academic community and the citizens of the country.

Cooperation in the field of culture and education

The Confucius Institute was established at the University of Montenegro in 2015, within which numerous cultural manifestations were organized during the previous period.

The Government of the People's Republic of China, through the China Scholarship Council, offers scholarships to Montenegrin students to study at the Chinese universities.

"Bar - Boljare" Highway

The construction of the largest infrastructure project in Montenegro - Bar-Boljare highway is being implemented in cooperation with the Chinese partners CCCC-CRBC. The highway is extremely important for the further development of Montenegro and is characterized as a historical project. The works on the construction of the first section Smokovac-Mateševo started in May 2015, and their completion is expected soon.

Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (China-CEEC Cooperation):

This platform is very broad and includes cooperation in many areas (economy, trade, culture, science, education, sports, health, agriculture, environmental protection, cooperation of local governments, etc.). 

2018: Montenegro hosted the First Ministerial Conference on Environmental Protection “Endovment of the Future“, and the Environmental Protection Cooperation Mechanism was established in Podgorica.

2017: Podgorica hosted the Forum of Mayors of the Capitals of China and Central and Eastern Europe.