A. Bilateral political relations

The People's Republic of Chinaand the Republicof Guinea-Bissauestablished the diplomatic relations on March 15, 1974. On May 26 1990, the Guinea-Bissauset up the so-called "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan Authority and on May 31, Chinadeclared to end the diplomatic relations with Guinea-Bissau. The diplomatic relations of Chinaand Guinea-Bissauwere restored on April 23, 1998.

Important visits by Chinese leaders and officials to Guinea-Bissauinclude: Wang Hanbin, Vice-chairman of the NPC (September 1989).

Leaders and officials who visited China from Guinea-Bissau are: Victor Saúde Maria, Minister of Foreign Affairs (July 1975), João Bernardo Vieira, Head of the State, Chairman of the Revolutionary Committee (April 1982), Paulo Corréia, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly (April 1985), Carmen Pereira, Speaker of the National Assembly (April 1986), Fernando Delfim da Silva, Foreign Minister (April 1998), Ansumane Mané, Commander of the Military Commission (October 1999), Francisca Vaz Turpin, Political and Foreign Affairs Counselor to President (August 2000), Filomena Mascarenhas Tipote, Special Envoy of the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs (January 2002) and Koumba Yala, President of Guinea-Bissau (December 2002).

B. Bilateral economy and trade relations and economic and technological cooperation

From March 1974 to May 1990, Chinaand Guinea-Bissausigned several times the agreement on economic and technological cooperation. Chinahas provided Guinea-Bissauwith the construction of a stadium, hospital and rice-technique promotion station, etc. After the restoration of the diplomatic relations of the two countries in April 1998, due to the country being in a state of war-turmoil from June that year, the bilateral cooperation was started in May next year when the situation there became relatively stable. At present, the project items now in the execution consist of bilateral agro-technological cooperation, housing, and power-generating equipment and technical cooperation and bamboo-weaving technical cooperation as well. Chinaalso signed with Guinea?Bissau the agreement on fishery cooperation. In 2002, the trading value of the two countries reached US$ 4.504 million, all being the Chinese exports.

C. Bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, science and technology and military aspects.

The governments of Chinaand Guinea-Bissausigned the agreement for cultural cooperation in 1982 and the cultural delegations of the two countries ever had mutual visits.

Starting from 1977, every year Chinaprovides Guinea-Bissauwith a quota of scholarships. Up to the end of 1988 there were 13 students coming from Guinea-Bissauto study in China. The year of 2002 saw 5 students from Guinea-Bissaustudying here in China.

The two governments of Chinaand Guinea-Bissausigned the protocol for Chinato dispatch medical team to Guinea-Bissau. From 1976 to 1990, Chinasent altogether 7 batched of medical team with a total of over 100 person/times. In June 2000, Chinastarted again to send medical team to Guinea-Bissauand now there are 7 medical personnel working in the capital of that country.

D. Important bilateral agreement and document

On March 15, 1974the two governments of Chinaand Guinea-Bissausigned the joint communiqué on the establishment of the diplomatic relations of the two countries.

On April 23, 1998, The governments of the two countries signed the "Joint Communiqué on the Restoration of the Diplomatic Relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau" and the "Understanding Memorandum for the Restoration of the Diplomatic Relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau". The communiqué for the restoration of the diplomatic relations pointed out "in accordance with the interests and wishes of the peoples of the two countries, the government of the People's Republic of China and the government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau agreed to send to each other's side its ambassador and provide convenience for the work of embassy of the other side on an equal-footing basis. The government of the People's Republic of Chinasupports the efforts made by the Republicof Guinea-Bissaufor maintaining the national sovereignty and development of economy. The government of the Republicof Guinea-Bissaurecognizes that the government of the People's Republic of Chinais the sole legal government representing the whole Chinaand that Taiwanis a part of the inseparable territoryof China. The People's Republic of Chinaexpressed its appreciation for the stand adopted by the government of the Republicof Guinea-Bissau."