Equatorial Guinea Obiang Mangue, and other close relatives with powerful positions in the security forces. The tension may be rooted in a power shift arising from the dramatic increase in oil production which has occurred since 1997. In 2004 a plane load of suspected mercenaries was intercepted in Zimbabwe while allegedly on the way to overthrow Obiang. A November 2004 report named Mark Thatcher as a financial backer of the 2004 Equatorial Guinea coup d'état attempt organized by Simon Mann. Various accounts also named the United Kingdom's MI6, the United States' CIA, and Spain as tacit supporters of the coup attempt. Nevertheless,
China–Equatorial Guinea relations China–Equatorial Guinea relations China–Equatorial Guinea relations refer to the foreign relations between China and Equatorial Guinea. China and Equatorial Guinea established diplomatic relations on October 15, 1970. In the 1970s, China and Equatorial Guinea signed agreements on economic and technological cooperation and trade. China provided Equatorial Guinea in the construction of the telecommunications buildings and broadcasting station in Malabo and Bata, a paving of the Nkue - Mongomo road, that is still in good condition, the Bicomo Hydropower Station in Bata that failed due to technical issues, and renovations to the Niefang Highway and Niefang - Nkue Highway. Medical aid