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I. Review of bilateral Political Relations
On December 27, 1991, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen sent a telegram to Armenian Foreign Minister that the Chinese Government had officially recognized the independence of the Republic of Armenia.
On April 6, 1992, The Chinese government representative Wang Jianqing, who was Chinese ambassador to Russia, and Armenian Foreign Minister Hovhanessian signed the communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Armenia in Yerevan, and decided to set up ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations as from that very day. In July of the same year, China set up its embassy in Armenia.
From July 2 to 6, 1992, Armenian Vice President and Prime Minister Gagik Haroutyunyan visited China at the invitation of Premier Li Peng. During his visit, he held talks with Premier Li Peng and met with Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Wan Li. The two sides signed a series of documents, such as the joint communique, the protocol on consultations between the two countries' foreign ministries, the agreement of cooperation on science and technology, the accord on investment encouragement and mutual protection, and the agreement on the cooperation in the fields of culture, education, sports and tourism.
On September 1, 1992, Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, while participating in Foreign Ministers' Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement countries, met with Armenian foreign minister Hovhanessian.
On March 23, 1993, the first Chinese ambassador to Armenia Zhao Xidi presented credentials to Armenia President Levon Ter-Petrosian.
On July 4, 1994, Chinese embassy in Armenian Foreign Ministry exchanged notes, reaching an agreement on mutual avoidance of travel visa for public affairs between the two countries.
On July 13, 1995, new Chinese ambassador to Armenia Yang Kerong presented credentials to Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosian.
On September 28, 1995, Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen met with Armenian Foreign Minister Papazian during his participation into the 50th UN General Assembly in New York.
On December 26, 1995, Chinese ambassador to Armenia Yang Kerong and Armenian Vice Foreign Minister Zuroyan signed bilateral consular treaty.
From January 16 to 18, 1996, Armenian Vice Foreign Minister Zuroyan visited China and held with Deputy Foreign Minister Zhang Deguang the first consultation between the two countries' foreign ministries.
On April 15-16, 1996, Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen paid a visit to Armenia. During the visit, Qian separately met and held talks with Armenian President Ter-Petrosian, Prime Minister Bagrazian, Speaker of the Parliament Ararktsyan, and Foreign Minister Papazian.
On May 3 to 6, 1996, Armenian President Ter-Petrosian paid a state visit to China. Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Qiao Shi, and Premier Li Peng respectively held talks with the president. During the visit, the two sides signed the joint communique on the basis of friendly relations between China and Armenia, the agreement on civil air transport, the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and tax evasion, and the agreement on the cooperation between the two countries' central banks, etc.
On December 1 to 3, 1996, Armenian National Assembly Speaker Ararktsyan paid an official and friendly visit to China, and met with Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Qiao Shi and Vice President Rong Yiren.
From June 10 to 17, 1997, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Armenia Badalian paid a visit to China. He respectively met with Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wan Guoquan, Head of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee Li Shuzheng and Deputy Head Dai Bingguo.
From August 18 to 21, 1997, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Wang Bingqian paid a visit to Armenia, and separately met with Armenian President Ter-Petrosian, Parliament Speaker Ararktsyan, and Foreign Minister Zumanian.
On November 12, 1997, Armenia new ambassador to China Maljirosian presented credentials to Chinese President Jiang Zemin.
On September 18, 1998, Chinese new ambassador to Armenia Zhu Chaoshun presented credentials to Armenia President Robert Kocharyan.
On September 24, 1998, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan met with his Armenian counterpart Oskanian in New York during the 53rd UN General Assembly.
From October 20 to 24, 1998, Armenian Defense Minister Sargsyan paid a visit to China. NPC Chairman Li Peng met with the Armenian minister. Chi Haotian, State Councilor and Minister of National Defense held talks with his Armenia counterpart
From August 24 to 29, 1999, Armenian Foreign Minister Oskanian paid a visit to China and met with Premier and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan respectively.
On September 9, 1999, Han Zhubin, Chief Procurator of the Supreme People's Procuratorate of the People's Republic of China and Armenian Procurator-General Aovshipian signed the Agreement on Cooperation Between the Supreme People's Procuratorate of the People's Republic of China and the Procuratorate-General of the Republic of Armenia.
From October 30 to November 1, 1999, Wu Chuanji, special envoy of the Chinese Government and Minister of Information Industry, went to Armenia to attend the funerals of Armenian National Assembly Speaker Karen Demirchyan, Prime Minister Vazgen Sarkisyan and other victims who were killed in an assassination. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan met with the Chinese delegation.
From June 22 to 27, 2000, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Armenia V. S. Darbinyan led a delegation to visit China. Li Guixian, Vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) met with the delegation.
From September 21 to 24, 2000, Deputy Head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Cai Wu led a delegation to visit Armenia and met with Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan, Deputy Speaker Torosyan and others officials respectively.
From October 23 to 28, 2000 Director of the Presidential Office of Armenia Tumanyan paid a visit to China. Li Guixian, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC and President of the Association for International Understanding of China, Deputy Head of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee Cai Wu, and Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Guchang respectively met with the foreign guest.
From December 4 to 8, 2000, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan paid a working visit to China. President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji met and held talks with the Prime Minister separately. The two sides issued the Joint Communiqué of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Armenia and signed the Agreement on Educational Cooperation Between the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia.
From February 12 to 18, 2001, Chairman of the Armenia National Assembly Armen Khachatryan paid a visit to China. Chairman Li Peng of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and Director of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the NPC respectively met with him.
From October 16 to 20, 2001, Armenia Defense Minister and Secretary to the Presidential Security Committee Shalkisian visited China. He met with Vice President and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee Hu Jintao.
On January 11, 2002, Armenia new ambassador to China presented credentials to President Jiang Zemin.
From February 25 to March 1, 2002, Armenian Vice Foreign Minister Margaryan visited China. Deputy Foreign Minister Wang Guangya and Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Guchang respectively held talks with him.
On March 11 and 13, 2002, Armenia President Kocharyan and Foreign Minister Oskanian sent messages of congratulation to Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan respectively on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and China.
On March 29, 2002, Chinese new ambassador to Armenia ZuoXueliang presented credentials to Armenia President Kocharyan.
On April 6, 2002, President Jiang Zemin and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan sent messages to Armenia President Kocharyan and Foreign Minister Oskanian respectively congratulating upon the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Armenia.
From June 7 to 11, 2002, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Tiemar Dawamat visited Armenia and met with Armenia President Kocharyan, Chairman of the National Assembly Armen Khachatryan, and Prime Minister Margaryan respectively.
From September 10 to 15, 2002, Armenian Deputy Defense Minister and Chief of General Staff Aruchunisian visited China. He respectively met with Zhang Wannian, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, and General Fu Quanyou, Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
From October 15 to 19, 2002, Director of Armenian Central for Strategic Studies and Former Foreign Minister Hovhanessian visited China and met with Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhou Wenzhong.
From April 6 to 8, 2003, Vice Foreign Minister Liu Guchang paid a visit to Armenia. He had separate meetings with Armenian President Kocharyan, Vice President Aruchuniyan, Chairman of the National Assembly Armen Khachatryan, Prime Minister Margaryan, Foreign Minister Oskanian, and Deputy Foreign Minister Ta Margaryan.
II, Bilateral Trade Relations and Economic and Technological Cooperation
On August 26, 1992, Minister of Light Industry Zeng Xianlin visited Armenia and met with Armenian Vice President Gar Aruchuniyan and Prime Mnister Huo Aruchuniyan respectively. Armenian Minister of Light Industry Mkrchyan paid two visits to China respectively In June and November of the same year.
In March 1994, Armenian Deputy Minister of Light Industry Karabjian visited China. From June 20 to 21, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) delegation paid a visit to Armenia, and signed with Armenia the Summary of Sino-Armenian Aviation Transport.
From May 8 to June 3, 1997, Minister of Industry of Armenia Savayan visited China. From July 9 to 11, Deputy President of the People's Bank of China Shang Fulin visited Armenia. The bilateral trade volume between China and Armenia in 1997 came to US$0.37 million.
From August 5 to 14, 1998, the delegation from the China Metallurgical Construction Group paid a visit to Armenia and signed with the Armenian side the Memorandum of Understanding on the Cooperation in the Exploitation of Southern Armenian Copper Mines. From August 29 to September 2, at the invitation of Armenian Minister of Industry and Trade Nanakuyan, the Jiangsu Provincial economic and trade delegation headed by Cao Hongming, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Jiangsu Provincial People's Congress, paid a visit to Armenia. The two sides signed a letter of intent on agricultural cooperation. The trade volume between China and Armenia in 1998 reached US$0.84 million.
From April 17 to 24,1999, Armenian Agriculture Minister Movsisyan visited China, and held talks with Chinese Agriculture Minister Chen Yaobang. The two sides signed the agreement on agricultural cooperation between the two countries.
From April 25 to May 3, 1999, Chief Adviser to Armenian Agriculture Ministry Malkluosian led an Armenian agricultural delegation and an exhibition-participating group to visit China to attend the 1999 World Horticultural Exposition held in Kunming, China's Yunan Province.
From June 28 to July 11, 1999, First Armenian Deputy Minister of Energy Garusisanyan visited China.
From August 2 to 3, 1999, the delegation of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation visited Armenia and signed with the Armenian Ministry of Industry and Trade the protocol on the establishment of Sino-Armenian Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee and held the Committee's first meeting. The total trade volume between China and Armenia in 1999 totaled US$11.59 million.
From October 23 to 26, 2000, the second meeting of Sino-Armenian Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee was held in Beijing. Tumanyan, Director of the Armenian Presidential Office, led a delegation to the meeting. Assistant Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation He Xiaowei met with the delegation.
From November 14 to18, 2000, the Chinese government economic and trade delegation headed by He Xiaowei, Assistant Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, paid a visit to Armenia. Armenian President Kocharyan and Prime Minister Markaryan respectively met with the delegation. The trade volume between China and Armenia in 2000 was UU$5.25 million, of which Chinese export was US$1.14 million and import US$4.10 million.
On October 12, 2001, the Shanxi Synthetic Rubber Group Co. and the Armenia Nayirite Production and Scientific and Technological Co signed in Beijing an agreement on the establishment of Sino-Armenian joint chloroprene rubber venture. The trade volume between China and Armenia in 2001 amounted to US$3.44 million, of which China's export was US$2.27 million and import US$1.17 million.
On January 19, 2002, The boiler installation project of Armenian Razdan electric station, jointly contracted by the China National Technological Import and Export Cooperation and No 3 Company of the Heilongjiang Provincial Thermal Power Station, was completed. The project received highly attention and praise from the Armenian side. The trade volume between China and Armenia in 2002 came to US$8.60 million, up 149.7 percent from the previous year. Of the total, China's export was US$1.94 million, and import US$6.66 million.
On February 25, 2003, the Chinese economic and trade delegation paid a visit to Armenia and attended the third meeting of Sino-Armenian Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee. Director of the Armenia Presidential Office Tumanyan met with the delegation.
III. Bilateral Exchanges and Cooperation in the Fields of Culture, Science and Technology and Education
From April 16 to 23, 1993, Armenian Culture Minister Hakobyan paid a visit to China. During his visit, the two countries' culture ministries concluded an agreement on cultural cooperation for 1993-1994.
From June 30 to July 7, 1994, Armenian First Deputy Minister of Health Dumanyan paid a visit to China. During the visit, the two sides concluded an agreement on health cooperation between the two countries' health ministries.
From March 22 to April 1, 1997, Armenian Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports Smbatyan led a cultural delegation to visit China and also participated in "Armenian Culture Day" activities held in China at that time.
From January 17 to 24, 1998, First Vice Chairman of the Armenian Association for Foreign Cultural Exchanges and Cooperation Bogo paid a visit to China.
From March 31 to April 4, 1998, Deputy President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) Yan Yiyun paid a visit to Armenia.
From September 25 to 28, 1998, A delegation from China's Ministry of Culture paid a visit to Armenia, and participated in "China's Culture Day" held in Armenia.
From November 3 to 10, 1998, at the invitation of the Association of International Understanding of China, Deputy Director of the Armenian Presidential Office Armayan paid a visit to China.
From October 21 to November 2, 1999, Armenian National song and dance troupe viisted China and attended the "International Ethnic Song and Dance Year'' held in China.
From May 29 to June 1, 2000, a delegation from the city of Chuzhou, in East China's Zhejiang Province paid a visit to Armenia, and signed with the Armenian city of Wanazuol the memorandum of understanding. Chairman of the Armenian National Assembly Armen Khachatryan met with the delegation.
From July 3 to 7, 2000, Armenian Minister for Culture, Youth, and Sports Rolan Sharoyan visited China and signed with China's Ministry of Culture the Program for Cultural Cooperation between the Two Ministries of Culture from 2000-2001. Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress He Luli met with the foreign guests.
On July 12, 2000, the China's Arts Festival & China's Drawings Exhibitions was held in Armenia.
April 17-24, Armenian Agriculture Minister Movsisyan visited China, and held talks with Chinese Agriculture Minister Chen Yaobang and signed with him the agreement on agricultural cooperation between the two countries.
From May 12 to 19, 2001, Armenian Minister of Social Safety Malskissyan visited China and met with Vice Minister of Civil Affairs Xu Ruxin.
From May 26 to 30, 2001, the delegation from China's Ministry of Science and Technology paid a visit to Armenia and attended the first meeting of Sino-Armenian Scientifi and Technological Cooperation Committee. Armenian Prime Minister Margaryan, Minister of Education and Science Nazayan respectively met with the Chinese delegation.
From October 27 to November 4, 2001, Li Zhiqiang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the State Physical Culture Administration and Chairman of International Federation of Martial Arts, headed a Chinese Wushu delegation to Armenia to participate in the sixth World Wushu Championship held in Armenia. Accompanying the delegation was Wu Shaozu, Vice Secretary of the Work Committee for Offices Directly under the CPC Central Committee, Honorable Chairman of the International Federation of Martial Arts. Armenian Minister of Defense Serzh Sarkisyan, Minister of Culture Sharoyan, and Vice Foreign Minister Margaryan respectively met with the delegation.
From April 30 to May 3, 2002, Special Assistant Chang Keren to Minister of Culture led a Chinese governmental cultural delegation on a visit to Armenia.
On September 30, 2002, Armenian expert Shakhiyan was conferred by the Chinese Government with "Award of Friendship'' for his prominent contributions to the progress of China's science and technology. Premier Zhu Rongji also met the expert.
From October 14 to 20, 2002, Rolant Sharoyan, Armenian Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports, visited Chna and attended the opening ceremony of "Armenia Paintings and Arts Exhibition'' held in China.
From October 15 to 21, 2002, the Jiangxi Provincial arts delegation paid a visit to Armenia for performance and gained a great success.
IV. Important Bilateral Agreements
Joint Communiqué between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Armenia on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
Memorandum of the Joint Communiqué between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Armenia on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
Joint Communiqué between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Armenia
Joint Communiqué between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Armenia on the Foundation of Mutual Friendly Relations
Joint Communiqué between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Armenia
Appendix:
Joint Communiqué between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Armenia
At the invitation of Premier Zhu Rongji of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan of the Government of the Republic of Armenia paid a working visit to the People's Republic of China from December 4 to 8, 2000.
President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China met with Prime Minister Markaryan, and Premier Zhu Rongji held talks with him. The leaders of the two countries had in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern in an earnest, cordial and pragmatic atmosphere and in the spirit of mutual respect. They expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the visit, and believed that the visit will further promote the development of friendly relations of cooperation between the two countries. The two sides signed the Agreement on Educational Cooperation Between the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia. In addition to Beijing, Prime Minister Markarian and his delegation will also pay a visit to Shanghai.
1. Both sides believe that the current world is undergoing profound changes, which fully reflect the trend of diversity and the characteristics of economic globalization and have enhanced the inter-dependence of the interests of all countries. The two sides reiterate that every country, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, has the right to determine its own destiny and enjoy the equal right to participation in the discussion and settlement of international issues.
2. Both sides maintain that the word's political multi-polarization is the demand of the times for progress and the trend of development. The trend is conducive to the promotion of the establishment of a just and reasonable new international political and economic order and to world peace and stability, and therefore conforms to the aspirations of the vast majority of countries and peoples in the international community.
3.The two sides stress the significance of mutual exchanges of views on international and regional issues of common concern, and express their wishes to promote bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation and work for the establishment of a just and reasonable new international political and economic order on the basis of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and other recognized international norms.
4. The two sides speak highly of the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in political, economic and trade, scientific and technological, cultural and other areas since the establishment of diplomatic relations on April 6, 1992.
5.The two sides reach a common consensus that the further strengthening and promotion of bilateral friendly relations of cooperation on the basis of the principles governing the development of bilateral relations set forth in the Joint Communiqué on the Foundation of Friendly Relations Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Armenia on May 5, 1996, is in the fundamental interests of the people of the two countries.
6. The two sides will continue to maintain high-level exchanges as well as contacts and exchanges at various levels, and will continuously expand and enrich their friendly relations of cooperation in all fields, so as to bring bilateral relationship to a new height in the new century.
7. Both sides agree that there is a bright prospect for bilateral economic and trade cooperation. The two sides agree to further expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, support and encourage direct exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' relevant departments, enterprises and localities, and give Sino-Armenian Economic and Trade Mixed Committee a full play in bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
8. The two sides agree that the two countries will further strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the fields of science and technology, culture, education, health, information, sports and others fields. The Governments of the two countries should create necessary conditions for these kinds of cooperation.
9. Armenia reaffirms its stance that it will adhere to the "one-China" principle, and recognize the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. Armenia reconfirms it will not establish or develop official relations with Taiwan in any form.
China supports Armenia's efforts to safeguard national independence and develop its economy, and wishes to see political stability and economic growth in Armenia.
Armenia reiterates its wishes to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh issue through peaceful negotiations. China supports the direct meeting between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan and the efforts by the international community to settle this issue peacefully, and hopes that a just and reasonable solution to the conflict can be found as soon as possible in accordance with recognized international principles and norms and within the framework of the negotiations currently underway.
10. The two sides state that the maintenance and development of friendly cooperation between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Armenia are not directed against any third country and will not harm the interests of any third country.
Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markarian appreciates the warm and friendly reception given by the Chinese side and invite Premier Zhu Rongji of the State Council of the People's Republic of China to visit Armenia at a convenient occasion. Premier Zhu Rongji accepts the invitation with great pleasure.
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