I. Bilateral Political Relations

On July 9, 1985, Chinese Government representative Huang Jiahua and Bolivian Government representative Gumucio signed in New York a joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations, deciding to establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level between the two countries on the same day. In September of the same year, China opened its embassy in Bolivia. In August 1986, Bolivia set up its embassy in China. A Chinese consulate general was established in Santa Cruz in May 1992 (it was downgraded to a consulate in March 2002). Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have enjoyed smooth development with political relations being enhanced, economic cooperation developing steadily and exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, military affairs, science and technology deepened. Sharing identical or similar views on international issues, the two countries enjoy mutual understanding and support each other in the international arena.

Mutual Visits:

On May 8-11, 1992, at the invitation of Chinese President Yang Shangkun, Bolivian President Paz paid an official visit to China. This was the first visit to China ever made by a Bolivian head of state. President Yang held talks with President Paz. General Secretary of the CPC (Communist Party of China) Central Committee Jiang Zemin and Premier Li Peng met with President Paz respectively.

On March 26-30, 1997, Bolivian President Gonzalo Sanchez De Lozada paid a state visit to China. Chinese President Jiang Zemin held talks with his Bolivian counterpart. Premier Li Peng and Chairman Li Ruihuan of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC (Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference) National Committee met with him respectively. On behalf of the Bolivian Government, the accompanying First Lady of Bolivia conferred upon Chen Muhua, Vice-Chairman of NPC Standing Committee and Chairman of the All-China Women's Federation, the National Medal "Condor of the Andes", for the great contribution she had made to the 4th World Women's Conference and to safeguarding the rights and interests of Chinese women.

From April 19 to May 1, 1984, President of the Bolivian Senate Julio Garet visited China at the head of a Bolivian parliamentary delegation. Chinese President Li Xiannian and Vice-Chairman Geng Biao of NPC Standing Committee met with him respectively.

On May 2-8, 1986, Foreign Minister Bedregal headed a Bolivian governmental political and economic delegation to China. Chinese President Li Xiannian met with him. The visit saw the signing of three documents, namely the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation, the Agreement on Economic and Technological Cooperation and the Protocol on Economic and Technological Cooperation.

On June 10-15, 1986, President of the Senate Oscar Zamora visited China at the head of a Bolivian Senate delegation. Chinese Vice-President Ulanfu and Chairman Peng Zhen of NPC Standing Committee met with the delegation respectively.

From June 29 to July 6, 1987, President of the Bolivian Congress Julio Garet visited China. Chinese President Li Xiannian and Chairman Peng Zhen of NPC Standing Committee met with the delegation respectively.

On October 15-17, 1987, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Zhu Qizhen paid a working visit to Bolivia. Bolivian President Paz and Foreign Minister Bedregal met with him respectively. Zhu held talks with his Bolivian counterpart Ormedo.

On October 8-13, 1988, Vice-Chairman of NPC Standing Committee Panchen Erdeni Chosgyi Gyantsen visited Bolivia at the head of a Chinese NPC delegation. Bolivian President Paz,Vice-President Garet who was also President of the Congress, and Foreign Minister Bedregal met with the delegation respectively.

On February 20-26, 1990, Vice-Chairman Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme of NPC Standing Committee visited Bolivia at the head of a Chinese NPC delegation. Among those who respectively met with the delegation were Bolivian President Zamora, Vice-President and President of the Congress Osio, President of the Senate Balda and President Kieffer of the House of Representatives. The delegation donated to Bolivia seeds of plateau wheat and highland barley and some technical materials of cultivation.

On September 13-17, 1990, Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen paid an official friendly visit to Bolivia at the invitation of his Bolivian counterpart Iturralde, with whom he held talks.

On October 15-24, 1990, Bolivian Vice-President and President of the Congress Osio Sanjines visited China. During the visit, Osio met respectively with Chinese President Yang Shangkun, Chairman Wan Li and Vice-Chairman Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme of NPC Standing Committee.

On August 4-6, 1993, Chinese Government Special Envoy and Vice- Foreign Minister Liu Huaqiu attended the power-transfer ceremony of the Bolivian Presidency. The newly inaugurated President Sanchez met with Chinese Special Envoy's mission. Liu presented President Sanchez a letter from President Jiang Zemin, in which the Chinese President invited him to visit China at a time convenient to him.

On October 2-12, 1994, Bolivian Vice-President and President of the Congress Hugo Cardenas headed a congressional delegation to China for an official visit. Vice-Premier Li Lanqin, Chairman Qiao Shi of NPC Standing Committee, Vice-President Rong Yiren met with the delegation respectively.

On October 10-16, 1994, Minister Antonio Aranibar of Foreign and Religious Affairs paid an official visit to China. Chinese President Jiang Zemin met with him. Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen held talks with him.

On June 2-8, 1997, Vice-Chairman of NPC Standing Committee Buhe visited Bolivia. Vice-President of the Senate Ruso met with him.

On August 5-7, 1997, Chinese Government Special Envoy Vice-Minister of Culture Ai Qingchun attended the power-transfer ceremony of the Bolivian Presidency. Ai presented to the newly elected President Banzer a letter by Chinese President Jiang in which Jiang invited him to visit China.

On June 10-12, 1998, State Councilor Luo Gan headed a Chinese government delegation to Bolivia. Bolivian Acting President and Vice-President Quiroga, who was also President of the Congress, met with the visiting Chinese Councilor. Luo, on behalf of the Chinese Government, provided the Bolivian Government with some earthquake-relief assistance.

On 10-17 January 1999, Bolivian Speaker of the House of Representatives Hugo Carvajal visited China. Chairman Li Peng and Vice Chairman Buhe of NPC Standing Committee met with him respectively.

From April 30 to May 7, 1999, Bolivian Vice-Foreign Minister Ana Maria Solares visited China. Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Vice-Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with her respectively.

From October 30 to November 5,, Bolivian Vice-Foreign Minister Fernando Messmer Trigo visited China. Vice-Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with him and Vice-Chairman Buhe of NPC Standing Committee met with him.

On June 19-26, 2000, Bolivian Minister of Health Guillermo Cuentas visited China. Chinese Minister of Health Zhang Wenkang met with him.

On October 9-17, 2000, Bolivian former President, President of Movimiento Izquierdista Revolutionaria Jaime Paz Zamora led a party delegation to China. Chairman Li Ruihuan of the National Committee of the CPPCC met with him.

On December 16-19, 2000, Vice-Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi visited Bolivia. Vice-President Quiroga and Foreign Minister Murillo met with him respectively. The fourth political consultation between the two foreign ministries was held between Yang and Bolivian Vice-Foreign Minister Soluco.

On April 1-8, 2001, President of Bolivian Supreme Court Arancibia visited China. President of Supreme Court Xiao Yang met with him.

On June 11-17, 2001, Bolivian Minister of Finance Jose Lupo visited China. Minister of Finance Xiang Huaicheng held talks with him.

On June 11-19, 2001, President of Bolivian Congress Jaalil Melgar visited China. Chairman Li Peng of NPC Standing Committee, Vice- Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, and Deputy Head of International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee Cai Wu met with him respectively.

On June 19-23, 2001, Minister of Health Zhang Wenkang visited Bolivia. Bolivian President Banzer and Minister of Health Cuentas met with him respectively.

On March 21-23, 2002, Deputy Head of the International Liaison Department of CPC Central Committee Cai Wu visited Bolivia at the head of a CPC goodwill delegation. Acting President of Bolivia and President of the National Assembly Enrigue Toro, Acting Senate President Mario Zamora, President of the House of Representatives Vazguez and leaders of major political parties met the delegation respectively.

On May 17-23, 2002, Bolivian Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Mansilia visited China. Chinese Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng met with the Bolivian minister.

From July 30 to August 3, 2002, at the invitation of Bolivian Procurator- General Crespo, Deputy Procurator-General Zhang Qiong visited Bolivia at the head of a delegation of China's Supreme People's Procuratorate.

On August 5-7, 2002, Chinese Government Special Envoy, Minister of Construction Wang Guangtao attended the power-transfer ceremony of Bolivian Presidency. Bolivian President Quiroga and President Elect Sanchez met with him and his entourage respectively.

II. Economic and Trade Relations, Economic and Technological Cooperation

Non-governmental trade relations between China and Bolivia can be traced back to early days, though the volume was relatively small. After the establishment of diplomatic ties, annual bilateral trade volume fluctuated around $4 million. Trade volume reached $27.76 million in 2002, with Chinese imports at $12.21 million and exports at $9.55 million. China mainly exports to Bolivia hardware, machinery, light industrial products, textiles and daily articles and imports from Bolivia lumber and mineral ore.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Chinese Government has provided the Bolivian Government with a number of economic and technical assistance, helping construction of 7 complete sets of projects including well-drilling, cultural center and small hydropower station, carrying out 3 technical cooperation projects including rice and vegetable cultivation. All these projects have achieved good social and economic returns. The Chinese Government has also provided the Bolivian Government with 7 batches of material assistance.

III. Cultural, Educational, Scientific, Technological and Military Cooperation

China and Bolivia have signed cultural and educational agreements as well as agreements on scientific and technological cooperation. Chinese cultural delegations have visited Bolivia for a number of times and held several Chinese cultural exhibitions there.

There have been continuous exchanges and cooperation between armed forces of the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Paying visits to Bolivia on the Chinese side were: Deputy Chief of General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Li Jing (July 1995), Deputy Commanding Officer Zhang Jinbao of the Armed Police (March 1999), Deputy Director of the PLA General Political Department Tang Tianbiao (July 1999), Deputy Political Commissar of the Armed Police Zhang Yuzhong (April 2002) and Deputy Chief of General Staff Zhang Li (December 2002). Paying visits to China on the Bolivian side were: General Peres, Chief of General Staff of the Bolivian Armed Forces (June 1995), General Carceles, Commander-in-Chief of the Bolivian Armed Forces (October 1996), General Bejar, Commander-in-Chief of the Bolivian Armed Forces (July 1998), Minister of Defense Valgas (June 2000), Commander-in-Chief of the Police Perez (July 2000), Commander of Air Force Camacho (November 2001), Commander of the Bolivian Army General Hurtado and Admiral of the Bolivian Navy Bardelli (both in June 2002).

IV. Bilateral Agreements

(1) Joint Communique Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Bolivia on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, signed in New York on July 9, 1985, by Huang Jiahua, representative of the Government of the People's Republic of China, and Gumucio,representative of the Government of the Republic of Bolivia.

(2) Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Bolivia on Economic and Technological Cooperation, signed in La Paz in May 1985 by Chinese Vice- Foreign Minister Zhu Qizhen and Bolivian Vice-Foreign Minister Ormedo.

(3) Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Bolivia on Cultural Cooperation, (ditto)

(4) Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Bolivia on the Mutual Establishment of Consulates General in Guangzhou and in Santa Cruz, (ditto)

(5) Exchange of Notes Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Bolivia on the Mutual Exemption of Visas for Diplomatic and Service (Official) Passports, (ditto)

(6) Agreement on Economic and Technological Cooperation Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Bolivia, signed in La Paz in September 1990 by Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and Bolivian Foreign Minister Iturralde.

(7) Trade Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Bolivia, signed in Beijing in May 1992 by Chinese Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and Bolivian Foreign Minister McClain.

(8) Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Bolivia on the Protection of Investment, (ditto)

(9) Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Bolivia on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, (ditto)

(10) Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Bolivia on Economic and Technical Cooperation, signed in Beijing in October 1994 by Chinese Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and Bolivian Foreign Minister Aranibar.

(11) Exchange of Notes Between the Foreign Ministry of the People's Republic of China and the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Bolivia on the Establishment of Political Consultation Mechanism Between the two Foreign Ministries, (ditto)

(12) Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Bolivia on Economic and Technical Cooperation, signed in Beijing in March 1997 by Chinese Vice-Minister Sun Zhenyu of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation and Bolivian Foreign Minister Aranibar.

(13) Framework Agreement on the Provision of Discount Interest Loan by the Government of the People's Republic of China to the Government of the Republic of Bolivia, (ditto)

(14) Exchange of Notes on the Provision of Relief Assistance by the Chinese Government to the Bolivian Government, signed in La Paz in June 1998 by Chinese Ambassador to Bolivia Qiu Xiaoqi and Bolivian Acting Interior Minister Canedo.

(15) Agreement on Cooperation Between the Foreign Affairs Institute of the People's Republic of China and the Institute of Foreign Affairs Rafael Castillo of the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign and Religious Affairs, signed in La Paz in December 2000 by Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Bolivian Vice-Foreign Minister Messmer.

(16) Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Bolivia on Economic and Technical Cooperation, signed in La Paz in May 2001 by Chinese Ambassador to Bolivia Wang Yongzhan and Bolivian Acting Foreign Minister Messmer.