1. Bilateral Political Relations

The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Colombia established diplomatic relations on February 7, 1980. In June and September of the same year, China and Colombia set up embassies in each other's capital. In November 1989 the two countries reached an accord on the establishment of consulates in each other's territory and in June 1990 China opened its consulate in Barranquilla.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Sino-Colombian friendly relations have developed smoothly and the two countries have carried out continuous exchange of high level visits and strengthened cooperation of mutual benefit in all fields. Both sides support each other and cooperate closely in international affairs. Colombia supports China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Inter-American Development Bank and in March 2000 the two countries reached an agreement on China's entry into WTO. China has supported Colombia in being successfully elected as a nonpermanent member of UN Security Council for 2001-2002. At the meetings of the UN Human Rights Committee, Colombia has abstained from voting for 6 consecutive years over the Western anti-China motions, voting for China's motion in 1997 and 1999, voting against it in 2000, and abstaining from voting in 2001. On the Taiwan issue, successive Colombian governments have been adhering to one China principle, stressing that it will not develop official relations with Taiwan. In 2002, Colombia supported Shanghai's bid for 2010 World Expo.

On October 28-30, 1985, at the invitation of Colombian President Belisario Betancur Cuartas, Chinese Premier paid an official goodwill visit to Colombia. President Betancur and Chinese Premier held talks. The two sides signed agreements on economic cooperation and inter-bank preferential credit, and exchanged notes on the provision of China's freshwater shrimp farming technology and acupuncture skill training to Colombia.

On October 20-23 1996, at the invitation of President Jiang Zemin, Colombian President Ernesto Samper Pizano paid a state visit to China. It was the first visit of a Colombian head of state. President Jiang Zemin held talks with his counterpart. Premier Li Peng and Chairman Qiao Shi of the NPC Standing Committee met with him respectively. Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, Minister of Public Security Tao Siju and Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Wu Yi met with Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Emma Mejia Velez, Director of General Office of Police Serrano and Minister of Foreign Trade Harf respectively. The two sides signed agreements on scientific and technological cooperation, retention of Colombian Consulate General in China's Hong Kong SAR and cultural and educational cooperation.

On May 13-15, 1999, at the invitation of President Jiang Zemin, Colombian President Andres Pastrana Arango paid a state visit to China. President Jiang Zemin held official talks with his counterpart. Chairman Li Peng of the NPC Standing Committee, Premier Zhu Rongji and Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo met with him respectively. Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng and Minister of Communications Huang Zhendong respectively met with Colombian Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto, Minister of Foreign Trade Martha Lucia Ramirez de Rincon and Minister of Communications Mauricio Cardenas Gutierrez. The two sides signed a treaty on mutual judicial assistance and agreements on economic and technological cooperation, cultural and educational cooperation and environmental protection cooperation. The 6th meeting of Sino-Colombian Trade and Economic Joint Commission and the 1st meeting of Sino-Colombian Scientific and Technological Joint Commission were held. .

On February 12-19, 1981, Vice-Chairman Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme of the NPC Standing Committee a NPC delegation to Colombia. Colombian President Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala, Senate Speaker Jose Ignacio Diaz Granados, President of the House of Representatives Hernando Turbay and Acting Foreign Minister Londono met with the delegation respectively.

On August 7-10, 1981, Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Huang Hua visited Colombia. Colombian President Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala met with him. Foreign Minister Carlos Lemos Simmonds conferred the Grand Cross Medal of Boyaca on him on behalf of the Colombian Government.

From September 28 to October 4, 1981, Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Lemos Simmonds visited China. Chinese Premier and Chairman Deng Xiaoping of the Advisory Committee of the CPC Central Committee met with him respectively. Chairman Huang Zhen of the Commission of Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Lemos Simmonds signed a cultural accord.

On June 10-17, 1982, Colombian Senate Speaker Gustavo Antouio Dajer visited China. Chinese Premier and Vice-Chairman Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme of the NPC Standing Committee met with him respectively.

On August 4-11, 1982, Chinese Government Special Envoy and Minister of Culture Zhu Muzhi led a government delegation to attend the inauguration of new Colombian President Belisario Betancur Cuartas.

On December 8-15, 1983, Vice-Chairman Peng Chong of the NPC Standing Committee led a NPC delegation to Colombia. Colombian President Betancur and leaders of both Senate and House of Representatives met with him respectively.

From May 30 to June 10 1984, Colombian Senate Speaker Carlos Holguin Sardi and House President Cesar Gaviria Trujillo led a Colombian parliamentary delegation to visit China. President Li Xiannian and Chairman Peng Zhen of the NPC Standing Committee and Vice-Premier Tian Jiyun met with him respectively.

On May 23-30, 1985, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian, Colombian Foreign Minister Augusto Ramirez Ocampo paid an official visit to China. Chinese Premier met with him. On behalf of their own governments, the two foreign ministers exchanged notes on technological cooperation on silkworm husbandry, cocoon processing and bamboo weaving.

On August 2-5, 1987, Chinese Government Special Envoy and Minister of Communications Qian Yongchang led a government delegation to attend the inauguration of new Colombian President Virgilio Barco Vargas'. Outgoing President Belisario Betancur Cuartas, new President Virgilio Barco Vargas and Minister of Public Works Luis Fernando Jaramillo met with him respectively.

On May 10-18, 1987, at the invitation of Colombian House of Representatives and Senate, Vice-Chairman Huang Hua of the NPC Standing Committee visited Colombia. Colombian President Virgilio Barco Vargas, Foreign Minister Julio Londono Paredes, Senate Speaker Humberto Pelaez Gutierrez and House President Roman Gomez Ovalle met with him respectively. The delegation held talks with the foreign affairs committees of Colombian House of Representatives and Senate. During the visit, Colombia announced the establishment of a Friendship Group of Colombia-China Parliament Members.

From June 28 to July 7, 1987, at the invitation of the Chinese NPC Standing Committee, Colombian House President Roman Gomez Ovalle visited China. President Li Xiannian met with him. On behalf of Chairman Peng Zhen of the Standing Committee of NPC, Vice-Chairman Huang Hua held talks with him.

On August 3-9, 1990, Chinese Government Special Envoy and Minister of Geology and Mineral Resources Zhu Xun visited Colombia to attend the inauguration of new president Cesar Gaviria Trujillo.

On September 17-21, 1990, Foreign Minister Qian Qichen visited Colombia. Colombian President Cesar Gaviria Trujillo, Senate Speaker Aurelio Iragorri Hormaza and House President Heonan Berdugo Berdugo met with him respectively. Foreign Minister Qian Qichen held talks with his counterpart, Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Fernando Jaramillo. During the visit, the two sides signed a protocol on the regular meeting mechanism between two foreign ministries' officials and exchanged notes on China's provision of loans and grants to Colombia. The Colombian Government and House of Representatives conferred the Grand Cross Medal of Boyaca and the Special Grand Cross Medal of Democracy on Foreign Minister Qian.

On October 14-18, 1991, at the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Fernando Jaramillo paid an official visit to China. President Yang Shangkun and Chairman Wan Li of NPC Standing Committee met with him respectively. The two foreign ministers held talks and exchanged notes on expansion of the scope of mutual visa exemption.

On April 25-30, 1992, at the invitation of Colombian parliament, Vice-Chairman Wang Hanbin of NPC Standing Committee paid a goodwill visit to Colombia. Colombian President Cesar Gaviria Trujillo, Senate Speaker Carlos Espinosa Facio Lince, House President Rodrigo Turbay Cote and Acting Foreign Minister Gonzalez met with him respectively.

On August 6-9, 1994, Chinese Government Special Envoy and Vice Foreign Minister Liu Huaqiu attended the inauguration of Colombian president. New president Ernesto Samper Pizano, Vice-President Humberto de la Calle and Foreign Minister Rodrigo Pardo Garcia Pena, as well as the outgoing president Cesar Gaviria Trujillo, Foreign Minister Nohemi Sanin Posada and Deputy Foreign Minister Luis Guillermo Ocampo met with him separately. Vice Foreign Minister Liu Huaqiu delivered to President Ernesto Samper Pizano a letter signed personally by President Jiang Zemin.

On April 3-8, 1995, at the invitation of Vice-President Rong Yiren, Colombian Vice-President Humberto de la Calle paid an official visit to China. President Jiang Zemin and Chairman Qiao Shi of NPC Standing Committee met with him respectively. Vice-President Rong Yiren held talks with him. Vice-President Humberto de la Calle also met with Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Wu Yi and Deputy Minister Wu Jie of the State Commission for Restructuring Economic System over issues of bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

On August 5-10, 1996, at the invitation of Colombian parliament, Vice-Chairman Chen Muhua of NPC Standing Committee paid an official goodwill visit to Colombia. Colombian President Ernesto Samper Pizano, Senate First Deputy Speaker Ocampo, House Second Deputy President Acosta and Foreign Minister Maria Emma Mejia Velez met with her respectively.

On January 20-24, 1997, at the invitation of Colombian Government and the Liberal Party, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat Hu Jingtao led a CPC delegation to Colombia on a goodwill tour. Colombian President Ernesto Samper Pizano met with and conferred the Special Grand Cross Medal of Nation Exploit on him. During his visit, Hu Jingtao held talks with members of the National Leading Committee of the Liberal Party, met with Colombian Senate Speaker Luis Fernando Londono Capurro, House President Giovanny Lamboglia Mazzili, Chief Auditor General Turbay and Director of the General Office of Police Serrano.

On May 13-14, 1997, at the invitation of Colombian Government, Vice-Premier Li Lanqing paid an official visit to Colombia. Colombian President Ernesto Samper Pizano and Foreign Minister Maria Emma Mejia Velez met with him respectively.

From June 30 to July 1, 1997, Colombian President Ernesto Samper Pizano, in the capacity of Chairman of the Non-Alignment Movement, together with former Colombian President and Secretary General of American States Organization (OAS) Cesar Gaviria Trujillo attended the Hong Kong handing-over ceremony and celebration activities.

On August 5-8, 1998, at the invitation of Colombian Government, Chinese Government Special Envoy and Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Zhang Xiang attended the power-transfer ceremony of Colombian presidency. In meeting with Colombian President Andres Pastrana Arango, Zhang Xiang delivered a letter signed personally by President Jiang Zemin. Zhang Xiang also handed over a letter of congratulations from Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan to Colombian new Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto present at the meeting.

On September 15-18, 1998, at the invitation of Colombian Government, Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo paid an official goodwill visit to Colombia. Colombian President Andres Pastrana Arango and Senate Speaker Balnshia met with him respectively. Colombian Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto held talks with Wu Bangguo. During the visit, the two sides signed documents on economic aid, joint fighting against narcotics-related crimes and plant quarantine service of Colombian banana exported to China. Colombian Vice-President Gustavo Bell Lemus attended a dinner hosted by Chinese Ambassador to Colombia Huang Shikang in honor of the Chinese delegation. Together with Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo, he also attended the operation ceremony of Baraquia Plant of Jincheng-Colombia Motorcycle Company, a Sino-Colombian joint venture.

On January 5-7, 1999, at the invitation of Chairman Li Peng of NPC Standing Committee, Colombian House President Emilio Martinez Rosales visited China. Chairman Li Peng, Vice Chairman Buhe and Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo met with the guest respectively.

On May 25-29, 1999, at the invitation of Colombian parliament, Vice-Chairman Cao Zhi of NPC Standing Committee paid a goodwill visit to Colombia. Colombian President Andres Pastrana Arango, Vice-President Gustavo Bell Lemus and House President Matinez met with him respectively.

On December 14-18, 1999, Colombian Vice-President Gustavo Bell Lemus paid a private visit to China. Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo, Vice-Chairman Cao Zhi of NPC Standing Committee, Deputy Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with him respectively. On 19-20, December, Vice-President Gustavo Bell attended the Macao handing-over ceremony and other celebrations on behalf of Colombian government.

On March 7-9, 2000, at the invitation of Colombian Foreign Ministry, Deputy Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi paid a working visit to Colombia. Colombian President Andres Pastrana Arango, First Lady Puyana and Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto met with him respectively. Deputy Foreign Minister Yang handed over to them letters from Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, and donated on behalf of the Children's Foundation of China teaching articles to the Family Welfare Association led by the First Lady. Deputy Foreign Minister Yang and his Colombia counterpart Riwas jointly presided over the fifth political consultation between the two Foreign Ministries.

On June 20-29, 2000, at the invitation of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Senator Enric Gemas Wertados who used to be former President of Colombian Conservative Party led a Conservative Party delegation to China. Vice-Chairman He Luli of NPC Standing Committee, Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of NPC Li Shuzheng, Director General Dai Bingguo and Deputy Director General Liu Jingqian of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, and Deputy Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with the guests respectively.

From July 30 to August 2, 2000, Colombian Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto, as Foreign Minister of the rotating presidency of the Rio Group, led other two foreign ministers of the Group's "Troika" to visit China. President Jiang Zemin, Premier Zhu Rongji, Vice-Premier Qian Qichen and State Councilor Wu Yi met with them respectively.

On September 1-5, 2000, at the invitation of National Leading Committee of Colombian Conservative Party, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and President of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Li Tieying led a CPC delegation to Colombia. Colombian President Andres Pastrana Arango met with him. The delegation held talks with President of the Conservative Party Shiro Ramilez. Former President of Liberal Party Anesto Samper and leader Alrashiao Serp and Chairman Luris Jilermo Belles, Acting Chairman of the Congress Jilermo Charwes also met with the Chinese delegation.

On November 14-18, 2000, at the invitation of the Second Committee of Senate, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of NPC Li Shuzheng headed a delegation to Colombia. Colombian Vice-President Gustavo Bell Lemus, First Deputy Speaker of Senate Charwes, House President Billiamizar and Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto met with the delegation respectively.

On December 14-15, 2000, at the invitation of Colombian Foreign Trade Ministry, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng headed an economic and trade delegation to Colombia on a visit. During the visit, the 7th meeting of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee between the two governments was held and the two sides signed the meeting minutes. Colombian President Andres Pastrana Arango and Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto met with the delegation respectively.

On 8-14 January 2001, Secretary General of the Presidential Office Eduardo Pizano visited China. State Councilor and Secretary General of the State Council Wang Zhongyu and Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with him respectively.

From May 27 to June 2, 2001, at the invitation of International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, Leader of Colombian Liberal Party Serpa visited China. Vice-Premier Li Lanqing and Director General of International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee Dai Bingguo met with him respectively. Deputy Director General of the International Liaison Department Cai Wu held talks with him.

On June 1-8, 2001, Colombian Vice-President and Minister of National Defense Gustavo Bell paid an official visit to China. President Jiang Zemin met with him. Vice-President Hu Jintao held talks with him. General Chi Haotian, Vice-Chairman of Central Military Commission, State Councilor and Minister of National Defense, met with him.

On August 27-30, 2001, General Chi Haotian, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, State Councilor and Minister of National Defense, paid an official visit to Colombia. Colombian President Pastrana and Vice President and Minister of National Defense Bell met with him respectively.

On November 23-26, 2001, President of the Chinese People's Institution of Foreign Affairs Mei Zhaorong visited Colombia. Vice-President and Minister of National Defense Bell, former Presidents Lopez and Samper met with him respectively.

On December 2-9, 2001, Colombian Vice-Foreign Minister Clemencia Forero Ucros visited China. Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Vice- Minister Peng Sen of the State Commission for Restructuring Economic System met with him respectively. Vice-Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Vice-Minister Forero presided over the sixth political consultation between the two foreign ministries.

In February 2002, at the invitation of Colombian National Police Headquarters, Chinese Minister of Public Security and Chairman of the National Commission for Narcotics Prohibition Jia Chunwang visited Colombia at the head of a Chinese narcotics-prohibition delegation. Colombian Vice-President and Minister of Defense Gustavo Bell met with him. Gereral Gilibert, Chief of Colombian National Police Headquarters, held talks with him.

At the invitation of General Fu Quanyou, Member of the Central Military Commission and Chief of General Staff, General Fernando Tapias. Stahelin, Commander-in-Chief of the Columbian Armed Forces, visited China between June 21 and 27, 2002. General Chi Haotian, Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission, State Councillor and Defence Minister, met him. Chief of General Staff Fu Quanyou held talks with him.

From June 30 to July 6, 2002, at the invitation of Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng, Foreign Trade Minister of Colombia Angela Maria Orozco Gómez visited China. Minister Shi met the Colombian minister.

On July 8-17, 2002, at the invitation of Chairman Li Peng of NPC Standing Committee, Colombian Senate Speaker Carlos Garcia Drjuela visited China. Chairman Li Peng met with her. Senate Speaker Garcia conferred on his Chinese host "Gold Cross Medal of the Colombian Congress".

On August 5-8, 2002, at the invitation of the Colombian government, Minister of Land and Resources Tian Fengshan, special envoy of the Chinese Government, attended the hand-over ceremony of the Columbian presidential power. Columbian President Andrés Pastrana Arango and President-Elect Alvaro Uribe Vélez had an exclusive meeting with the Chinese delegation respectively. During the meeting, Special Envoy Tian handed over to President-Elect Uribe a letter signed personally by President Jiang Zemin.

On August 20-24, 2002, at the invitation of Colombian Liberal Party, Deputy Head Wang Jiarui of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee paid a visit to Colombia at the head of a CPC goodwill delegation. President Uribe, Senate President Luis Alfredo Ramos Botero, President of the House of Representatives william Velez Mesa and Conservative Party President Carlos Holguin Sardi met with the delegation respectively.

On October 19-22, 2002, at the invitation of Colombian Foreign Minister Carolina Barco, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan visited Colombia and held the first meeting, at foreign ministerial level, of the political consultation and cooperation mechanism between China and the Andean Community. Colombian President Uribe and Minister of Communications Andes Uriel Gallego Henao met with him respectively. Foreign Minister Tang held talks with his counterpart Barco and accepted the Medal of "Gran Cruz" Order of San Carlos conferred on him by the Colombian Government.

II. Bilateral Economic and Trade Relations, Economic and Technological Cooperation

After the establishment of diplomatic relations, Sino-Colombian trade volume fluctuated at a low level for a long time and mostly in China's favor. In recent years, bilateral trade has increased by a big margin. However, it still remains at a low level. Economic and technological cooperation and mutual investment have made a good start with a bright prospect of development.

In 1999 and 2000, Sino-Colombian trade volume amounted to $125 million and $188 million respectively, increasing by 23.8% and 50.4% respectively over the previous year. In 2001, bilateral trade volume reached $232 million, a year-on-year increase by 23.4%. In 2002, Sino-Colombian trade volume totaled $316 million, a rise year-on-year by 36.4%, of which Chinese export reached $287 million and import $29.12 million US, increasing by 39.9% and 8.1% respectively. China mainly exports to Colombia electromechanical equipment, chemical products and textiles, and mainly imports from Colombia bananas and plastics.

In spite of its late start, Sino-Colombian economic cooperation has witnessed initial success. China has established in Colombia seven joint ventures with contracted investment of $11.16 million, of which $9.56 million are Chinese investment. Colombia has invested $300,000 in China and set up one coffee plant (Zhuhai Jierong Food Company Ltd).

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

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, science and technology, education, judicial and military affairs have been growing and strengthened. The two sides reached a number of agreements and accords on cooperation on culture, education, science and technology and criminal judicial assistance.

In October 1985, Chinese Minister of Health Cui Yueli visited Colombia. In September 1988, Colombian Minister of Education Manuel Francisco Becera at the head of a government cultural delegation visited China. In May 1991, Chinese Vice-Minister of Culture Gao Zhanxiang visited Colombia. In August 1996, CPAFFC Vice-President Su Guang visited Colombia. From September to October 1996, a Chinese song and dance troupe visited Colombia. In November 1996, a delegation of presidents of Colombian universities visited China. In October 1997, the Colombia-China Friendship Association delegation visited China. In January 1998 Colombian newspaper Times dispatched for the first time its resident journalists to Beijing. In April 1998, a Chinese Hebei opera troupe attended the Iberoamerican drama festival held in Bogota. In the same month, a Chinese legal delegation visited Colombia. In May 1998, a Chinese Journalists Association delegation visited Colombia. In May 1999, Colombian Baraqui Song and Dance Troupe visited China. From July to August of the same year, teachers and students majoring in China studies of the senior executive administration and international relations program of the Colombian Capital Day University made a trip to China. In April 2000, Colombian Judicial Affairs Committee Chairman Mario Aralio led a legal delegation of Colombia-China Friendship Association to China on a visit. In October of the same year, Colombian Minister of Environment Huan Mairl Maerrona visited China. Former Colombian President Hurio Sashaer Tuewai and his wife visited China. In July 2001, Chinese Minister of Education Chen Zhili visited Colombia. In October 2002, Colombian Vice-Minister of Education Javier Botero Alvarez visited China.

In addition, China has sent to Colombia all sorts of cultural groups and art troupes such as song and dance, Beijing opera, acrobatics, broadcasting, cinema and TV, music, publishing and martial arts. Besides, China also successively sent its teams of basketball, volleyball, table tennis, diving and chess to Colombia. China held exhibitions of arts and crafts, stamps and books in Colombia. Colombian National Theatre and National Song and Dance Troupe visited China. Colombia also held exhibitions on paintings, photographs and ancient gold jewelry in China. During Colombian President Pastrana's visit to China in May 1999, the two sides held the 1st meeting of the Scientific and Technological Joint Commission. According to the bilateral cultural agreement, the two countries began to exchange students from 1981. So far, Colombia has sent 57 students to study in China and China has dispatched 29 students to study in Colombia.

In recent years, Sino-Colombian friendly exchanges in the military field have been on the increase. In October 1983, Colombian naval training ship Glory visited China. In March 1984, a Colombian Senior Military Academy delegation tripped to China. In September 1985, the Chinese PLA Deputy Chief of General Staff Han Huaizhi made a trip to Colombia. In October 1990, Colombian Minister of Defense Oscar Botero Restrepo visited China. In June 1992, Colombian Air Force Commander Chief Marshal Fileno visited China. In March 1993, the first Chinese military attaché arrived in Colombia. In September 1994, the Chinese PLA Deputy Chief of Staff General Li Jing visited Colombia. In December 1996, the first Colombian military attaché arrived in China. In May 1997, Colombian naval training ship Glory paid a goodwill visit to Shanghai. In July 1998, the Chinese PLA Deputy Chief of General Staff Kui Fulin visited Colombia. In September 1999, Commander-in-Chief of Colombian Forces Admiral Fernando Tapias Stahelin visited China. In October 2000, Colombian Minister of National Defense Ramilez, together with Army Commander General Jorge Bnrique Mora Rangel and others, visited China. On June 21-27, 2002, at the invitation of General Fu Quanyou, Member of the Central Military Commission and Chief of General Staff, Admiral Tapias, Commander-in-Chief of Colombian Armed Forces, visited China. General Chi Haotian, Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission and Minister of Defense, met with him. Chief of General Staff Fu Quanyou held talks with him.

IV. Important Bilateral Agreements and Documents

(1) Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Colombia

On February 7, 1980, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the UN and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Chen Chu and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Colombia to the UN and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Indalecio Lievano signed the joint communique in New York.

(2) Trade Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Colombia, signed on July 17, 1981 in Beijing, by Minister of Foreign Trade Li Qiang and Colombian Ambassador to China Santo Domingo.

(3) Cultural Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Colombia, signed on October 1, 1981 in Beijing, by Minister of Chinese Commission of Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Huang Zhen and Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Lemos Simmonds. According to the agreement, the two countries also signed the annual executive plan on cultural and educational exchanges.

(4) Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Colombia, signed on December 23, 1981 in Beijing, by Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic Cooperation Shi Lin and Colombian Ambassador to China Santo Domingo.

(5) Agreement on Economic Cooperation between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Colombia, signed on October 29, 1985 in Bogota, by State Councilor Chen Muhua and Colombian Foreign Minister Augusto Ramirez Ocampo.

(6) Agreement on Mutual Visas Exemption for Diplomatic Passports between China and Colombia, signed on September 16, 1987 Beijing, by Vice-Foreign Minister Zhu Qizhen and Colombian Foreign Ministry Secretary General Esther Lozano de Rey.

(7) Agreement on Mutual Establishment of Consulates between China and Colombia, signed on November 8, 1989. The two countries reached agreements, by exchanging notes, on the establishment of consulates by China in Baraqui and by Colombia in one of Chinese open cities.

(8) Protocol on the Meeting Mechanism between the Foreign Ministry of the People's Republic of China and the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Colombia, signed on September 20, 1990 in Bogota, by Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Fernando Jaramillo.

(9) Exchange of Notes of the Supplementary Agreement to the Scope Expansion of the Mutual Visas Exemption Agreement between China and Colombia, signed on October 14, 1991 in Beijing, by Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Fernando Jaramillo. The scope of mutual visas exemption was expanded to service passports.

(10) Exchange of Notes between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Colombia on the Retention of Consulate General of the Republic of Colombia in Hong Kong SAR of the People's Republic of China, signed on May 14, 1996 in Beijing, by Vice-Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Colombian Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto.

(11) Memorandum of Understanding between the Foreign Ministry of the People's Republic of China and the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Colombia, signed on May 14, 1999 in Beijing, by Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Colombian Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto.

(12) Treaty on Criminal Judicial Assistance between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Colombia, signed on May 14, 1999 in Beijing, by Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Colombian Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto. The sixteenth meeting of the Standing Committee of China's Ninth National People's Congress ratified the treaty on July 8 2000.

(13) Agreement on China's Entry into the WTO between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Colombia, signed on March 7, 2000 in Bogota, by Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Sun Zhenyu and his Colombian counterpart Alros.