After a presence going back to 1972, the People's Republic of China is to celebrate the 51st anniversary of its cooperation with Togo in 2023. While Lomé and Beijing are showcasing an ideal relationship, the reality on the ground is more complicated. During this half-century of cooperation, China has positioned itself as the kingpin of Togo's commercial exchanges with the outside world. So, Liu Yuxi, Chinese Ambassador to Togo, demonstrated in September 2017 on the occasion of the celebration of 45 years of bilateral relations between the two countries on the Chinese Embassy's official site: Suite à l'établissement de ces relations le 19 septembre 1972, “la Chine est devenue le principal partenaire commercial du Togo et une des principales sources d'investissement”. By the establishment of this relationship on 19 September 1972, “China has become Togo's principal commercial partner and one of its principal sources of investment”. In 2021, as the Togo economy was struggling to emerge from the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis, commercial exchanges between the two countries experienced spectacular growth. Since then, China has been contributing, alongside the Togolese government, to the implementation of a major construction policy. The Belt and Road Initiative (or BRI, known in Chinese as “一带一路”), launched by China, is a vast political, economic and cultural strategy that joins various member countries, 43 of them in Africa, including Togo. This turn in Chinese foreign policy can only reinforce the China–Togo relationship. There have been numerous manifestations of this new dynamic such as the Sinto Sugar Refinery in Anié, the building of the Stade Kégué sports stadium in Lomé, the Lomé Commune Regional Hospital Centre, the Palais de Congrès of Kara, the Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport, Lomé's bypass, and the new seat of Parliament. The People's Republic of China is not satisfied with a relationship based on the realization of these major projects alone. Beyond the infrastructure sector, it is also present in the education of Togolese students through the Confucius Institute of the University of Lomé, created in October 2009 for the teaching of Chinese language and culture. Confucius Institute building at the Université of Lomé. Photo by Jean Sovon, used with permission. The Confucius Institute helps Togolese students find an entry route to Chinese enterprises established in Togo. China also offers Chinese Government bursaries to Togolese students and trains experts and technicians in various fields. In the health sector, several Chinese medical missions operate in Togo. Medical services and interventions are delivered by Chinese specialists in different disciplines. In all, Beijing has mounted 25 missions in the Regional Hospital Centres of Kara and Lomé, which were built by China. Regional Hospital Centre of Lomé, built by the Chinese. Photo by Jean Sovon, used with permission In 2015, this Chinese influence on Togo was viewed positively by the majority of Togolese, according to an investigation carried out by AfroBaromètre. Official statements suggest the welfare of the people and the development of the local economy are at the centre of the relationship between China and Togo. Thus, in September 2022, on the occasion of the celebration of 50 years of the two countries’ relationship, Chao Weidong, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Togo asserted in his speech: (…)Les ressortissants chinois acu Togo sont préoccupés par le bien-être de la population locale. En faisant don de fournitures depuis plus de dix ans, ils contribuent à la vie de la communauté, ce qui est un témoignage puissant des liens interpersonnels qui se resserrent de plus en plus(…) (…)Chinese diplomatic staff in Togo are motivated by the wellbeing of the local population. By gifting materials over more than ten years, they contribute to the life of the community, bearing powerful witness to the ever tighter inter-personal ties(…) Nevertheless, this is far from being the case in all projects associated with China. For example, infrastructure building contracts are awarded to Chinese businesses to the detriment of national businesses operating in the same sectors of activity. Although the implementation of the various Chinese undertakings in Togo does generate direct employment, many workplaces have suffered strikes arising from uninspiring working conditions. In 2014, 120 Togolese workers were dismissed by WUITEC (the Chinese business engaged on the building of the new Lomé airport) for protesting against unacceptable working conditions.