Stadium diplomacy is a form of subsidy practiced by a nation through building and financing the construction of stadiums and sports facilities. China uses this form of soft power to secure diplomatic recognition in line with the One-China policy and to secure natural resources.
The construction of stadiums is financed depending on the project with some given as gifts; paid for through low interest, concessional loans; built in partnership with both credit and the host nation taking on different construction responsibilities; or through some other kind of partnership. This form of diplomacy was practiced as early as 1958, when the Chinese government financed the construction of the National Sports Stadium in neighboring Mongolia.
List
The following includes overseas stadiums and sports facilities built and donated as gifts or financed in association with the host country. Stadiums built by the creditor nation construction firms but without their government's financing assistance are not listed.
Africa
Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda; Estádio Nacional do Chiazi in Cabinda; Ombaka National Stadium in Benguela; Tundavala National Stadium in Lubango were all built by various Chinese contractors for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. Construction was financed by a credit line provided by China.
Friendship Stadium was built with Chinese help in 1982
Stade du 4 Août was built with a total cost of 4 billion CFA francs
An indoor sports stadium built in the downtown area of Yaoundé, was paid for by a Chinese government grant and is used to host sports and cultural events. Chinese construction company also built Limbe Stadium in 2012 and later continued with Kouekong Stadium.
The 15,000 seater National Stadium (2013) construction by Top International Engineering began in 2010 and ended in 2013, at a cost of 1.4 billion Cape Verdean escudos, funded by the Chinese government.
Barthélemy Boganda Stadium was built from 2003 to 2006 at a cost of 12 billion CFA and seats 20,000 spectators.
A new 30,000 seater national stadium, to be named after N'Garta Tombalbaye, is being built in N'Djamena with total cost of 50 billion CFA franc.
Stade des Martyrs, opened in 1994 and was the second largest stadium at that time, was built by Chinese funds.
China State Construction Engineering was one of the companies which built various sport venues in Brazzaville for Congolese preparation to host 2015 All-Africa Games which includes a 60,000 seater main stadium, a multi-sports arena, and an indoor pool.
Djibouti City Stadium was built at the cost of 11 million USD between 1991 and 1993.
Estadio de Bata was built by China Overseas Engineering Group in 2007. Estadio de Malabo was also built with support from Chinese government.
Stade d'Angondjé, also called the Sino-Gabonese Friendship Stadium, was a gift from Chinese government. Chinese government also helped in building Stade d'Oyem and Stade de Port-Gentil when Gabon was selected to host 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
Independence Stadium was A gift by Chinese government and built in 1984.
China agreed to help in constructing two new stadiums (Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium and Tamale Stadium) and renovate two other stadiums (Baba Yara Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium) in preparation for 2008 Africa Cup of Nations through a soft loan of USD 31 million. Another stadium built by the Chinese, Cape Coast Sports Stadium, sparked a controversy due to its deteriorating condition despite only opened for two years since 2016.
Nongo Stadium is a 50,000 seater stadium finished in 2012 as a gift from Chinese government to the country. As Guinea was selected to host 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, an agreement was signed between two countries to further construct three more stadiums.
Estádio 24 de Setembro is built by China National Corporation For Overseas Economic Cooperation. The stadium was later refurbished also with Chinese help.
Stade Olympique d'Epimbé, a new stadium built for hosting 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, is funded by Chinese government and designed by Beijing Institute Architectural Design.
Moi International Sports Centre, a facility which includes 60,000 seat stadium, 120-room hotel, and large swimming pool was built by the Chinese government as an assistance project in 1987 to enable Kenya host the All Africa Games. Another Chinese government grant of 12.8 million USD provided funds for the refurbishment of the complex from 2010-2012 by Shengli Engineering Construction.
Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex was built in 1986 with Chinese funds. The stadium was later renovated with Chinese assistance.