China Donates 16 Red Banner Luxury Sedans to Madagascar for SADC Summit 2025

During a handover event held in the Iavoloha Presidential Palace on 16 July 2025, Chinese Ambassador JI Ping ceremonially handed over the keys of 16 Red Banner sedans to Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina. The cars are the Red Flag H9 luxury model and are destined as transport vehicles for Heads of States or Governments during the upcoming 45th SADC Summit 2025 (#SADC2025).

The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) has 16 member states and thus 16 cars were offered. The #SADC2025 is scheduled to kick off in the Malagasy capital, Antananarivo, on 17 August 2025.

“This gesture affirms the unwavering support from China for Madagascar and is another illustration of the concrete bilateral partnership, based on mutual respect and commitment toward shared prosperity.“

Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina

Toward the end of July 2025, the chief of the EU mission in Madagascar Roland Kobia made some negative comments publicly regarding this ‘gift from China.’ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar convoked him to remind the EU that ‘Madagascar is a sovereign state and is free to choose which country to cooperate with.’

Ambassador Ji recalled that China and Madagascar have more than half a century of diplomatic ties and cooperation. The domains of cooperation encompasses agriculture, energy, transport, health and the environment.