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I. Bilateral Political Relations
On 20 June 1974, the People's Republic of China and Trinidad and Tobago formally established diplomatic relations. In April 1975, China set up its embassy in Trinidad and Tobago. So far Trinidad and Tobago has no embassy in China.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral friendship has been consolidated and developed continuously. China and Trinidad and Tobago have been conducting effective cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, trade, culture and military. They have enjoyed understanding of and support for each other in international affairs.
On November 5-11, 1974, Prime Minister Eric Williams of Trinidad and Tobago visited China. It was the first visit to China by the head of the Trinidad and Tobago government. Premier Zhou Enlai and Chairman Mao Zedong received him respectively. Upon the conclusion of the visit, the two sides issued a press communique, announcing that they would exchange students and trade delegations and hold trade fairs.
On January 10-17, 1975, Vice-Minister of Fuel Chemical Industry Tang Ke led a Chinese petroleum delegation to visit Trinidad and Tobago. It was the first official delegation from China to visit Trinidad and Tobago. Governor General Ellis Clarke and Prime Minister Eric Williams met with the delegation.
From January 31 to February 6, 1975, Prime Minister Eric Williams paid a working visit to China. Premier Zhou Enlai met with his counterpart. The two sides signed an accord on the establishment of embassies in each other's capital.
On July 12-16, 1978, Vice-Premier Geng Biao visited Trinidad and Tobago. He held talks with Prime Minister Eric Williams and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Industry Errol Mahabir. President Ellis Clarke met with the delegation.
On March 4-9, 1981, Vice-Chairman Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme led a Chinese NPC delegation to Trinidad and Tobago for a visit. President Ellis Clarke and Prime Minister Williams met with the delegation.
From November 28 to December 2, 1982, Vice-Foreign Minister Han Xu paid a working visit to Trinidad and Tobago. President Ellis Clarke met with him.
On July 22-25, 1984, MOFERT Vice-Minister Jia Shi led a Chinese economic and trade delegation to Trinidad and Tobago for a visit. Prime Minister George Chambers met with the delegation. The two sides initialed an Agreement on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.
On July 13-15, 1985, Prime Minister George Chambers visited China. Chairman Deng Xiaoping met with him. Chinese Premier held talks with him. The two countries formally signed the Agreement on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.
On July 3-5, 1986, Vice-Foreign Minister Zhu Qizhen visited Trinidad and Tobago. Acting Prime Minister Mohammed met with him. Acting Foreign Minister Padmore held talks with him.
On September 6-13, 1987, House Speaker Nizam Mohammed led a Trinidad and Tobago parliamentary delegation to visit China. President Li Xiannian and Chairman of NPC Standing Committee Peng Zhen met with the delegation respectively. Vice-Chairman Wang of NPC Standing Committee Renzhong held talks with the delegation.
On February 15-18, 1990, Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Huaqiu paid a working visit to Trinidad and Tobago. Prime Minister Arthur Robinson met with him. Foreign Minister Basdeo Panday held talks with him.
From July 29 to August 2, 1992, Secretary General of the State Council Luo Gan headed a Chinese Government delegation to Trinidad and Tobago for an official visit. He met with Acting President Joseph Carter, Prime Minister Patrick Manning, House Speaker Occah Seapaul and Foreign Minister Ralph Maraj. Luo Gan exchanged views with the hosts on bilateral relations and issues of common interest.
On August 25-29, 1996, House Speaker Hector McClean headed a Caribbean parliamentary leaders' delegation to China. Chairman Qiao Shi of NPC Standing Committee and Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen met with the delegation respectively.
On May 25-28, 1997, Vice-Chairman Buhe of NPC Standing Committee led a Chinese parliamentary delegation to Trinidad and Tobago. Buhe met with President Arthur Robinson, Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, Senate President Ganace Ramdial, House Speaker Hector McClean and Foreign Minister Ralph Maraj.
On September 1-7, 1997, Senate President Ganace Ramdial visited China. Chairman Qiao Shi and Vice-Chairman Buhe NPC Standing Committee and Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen met with him respectively.
On July 21-23, 1998, Vice-Premier Qian Qichen visited Trinidad and Tobago. Acting President Ganace Ramdial met with him. Prime Minister Basdeo Panday held talks with him. The two sides signed the exchange of notes on China's gratuitous assistance to Trinidad and Tobago.
From September 16 to October 1, 1997, Minister of Finance Brian Kuei Tung visited China. Premier Zhu Rongji met with him. Minister of Finance Liu Zhongli held talks with him.
From February 23 to March 1, 1999, Minister of Public Administration Wade Mark visited China at the invitation of Minister of Personnel Song Defu. State Councilor Wang Zhongyu and Minister Song Defu met with him respectively. Vice-Minister of Personnel Bu Zhengfa held talks with him.
On March 22-28, 1999, Minister of Trade and Industry Mervyn Assam led a delegation to visit China. State Councilor Wu Yi met with him. Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Sun Zhenyu held talks with him.
On March 26-30, 1999, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the NPC Standing Committee Zeng Jianhui headed a delegation to Trinidad and Tobago. Zeng Jianhui met with Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, Senate President Ganace Ramdial, House Speaker Hector McClean and Foreign Minister Ralph Maraj.
On July 17-20, 1999, deputy Director of the General Political Department, Lieutenant General Tang Tianbiao visited Trinidad and Tobago. He met with President Arthur Robinson, Foreign Minister Ralph Maraj, Minister of National Security Joseph Theodore and Chief of the General Staff Alfonso. It was the first military delegation from China to visit Trinidad and Tobago.
On May 16-19, 2000, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Li Ruihuan paid an official friendly visit to Trinidad and Tobago at the invitation of Trinidad and Tobago Government. During the visit, Chairman Li met with President Arthur Robinson, Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, President of Senate Ganace Ramdial, Speaker of the House Hector McClean, Foreign Minister Ralph Maraj and the opposition leader Patrick Manning.
On June 25-28, 2001, at the invitation of Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Enterprise Development, Foreign Affairs and Tourism Assam, Assistant Foreign Minister Zhou Wenzhong visited Trinidad and Tobago. During his visit, Prime Minister Panday, Minister of Comprehensive Planning and Development Humphrey met with him respectively. Minister Assam held talks with Zhou. The two sides signed the exchange notes on the Chinese government providing the government of Trinidad and Tobago with free aid.
On June 26-29, 2002, Chinese Government Special Envoy, Vice-Mayor of Shanghai Yan Junqi visited Trinidad and Tobago at the head of a Chinese Government Delegation bidding for 2010 World Expo. The delegation met with Acting Foreign Minister, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the President of Tourism and Industry Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago.
On July 22-24, 2002, Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic cooperation Ma Xiuhong visited Trinidad and Tobago at the head of a governmental economic and trade delegation. During the visit, Prime Minister Mannin, Foreign Minister Gift, Trade and Industry Minister Valee, Housing Minister Montano and Energy Minister Williams met with him respectively. During the visit, Vice-Minister Ma and Foreign Minister Gift, on behalf of their respective governments, signed an Agreement between the Government of the PRC and Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investment.
On January 8-11, 2003, State Councilor Wu Yi led a Chinese Government Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago for an official and friendly visit. During the visit, Mme Wu held talks with Prime Minister Manning, called on Governor General Robinson and met with the First Secretary of the Parliament London. Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Ma Xiuhong held working talks with Foreign Minister Gift.
II. Bilateral Economic and Trade Relations, Economic and Technological Cooperation
Major bilateral cooperative projects are agricultural machinery, bamboo growing, bamboo weaving and shrimp husbandry.
Before 1980s, annual bilateral trade volume fluctuated around 2 million US dollars. Since 1990, bilateral trade has grown by a big margin, mainly thanks to Trinidad and Tobago's trade diversification and liberalization, which lifts series of non-tariff barriers for import and provides an opportunity for China's export expansion. China mainly exports textiles and light industrial products to Trinidad and Tobago, while mainly importing asphalt, cocoa beans, urea and petrochemical material from the latter. In 2002, bilateral trade volume totaled $47.15 million, with Chinese exports at $42.34 million and imports at $4.81 million.
On September 20-23, 2000, Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Sun Zhenyu visited Trinidad and Tobago at the head of a Chinese economic and trade delegation at the invitation of Ministry of Trade and Industry of Trinidad and Tobago. Vice-Minister Sun called on President Arthur Robinson and Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, met with Minister of Public Utilities Ganga Singh and held talks with business circles of Trinidad and Tobago.
On October 14-18, 2000, Vice-President of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Wan Jifei paid a visit to Trinidad and Tobago. He called on President Arthur Robinson, Minister of Prime Minister's Office Lindsay Gillette and the Minister of Trade and Industry Mervyn Assam.
On June 4-8, 2001, talks on avoidance of double taxation was held in Beijing, and a relevant agreement was initialed between China and Trinidad and Tobago.
III. Bilateral Exchanges and Cooperation in Cultural, Military and Other Fields
(1) Cultural Exchanges
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides have exchanged over a score of delegations of culture, sports, youth, women and friendship associations.
China sent Beijing opera, acrobatics, song and dance and several art troupes to perform in Trinidad and Tobago. Besides, China also sent football and table tennis teams to Trinidad and Tobago for friendly matches. Several exhibitions have been held by China in Trinidad and Tobago, such as photo, Chinese painting, ceramics, costumes and arts and crafts.
Trinidad and Tobago reciprocated by sending its steel pan band to perform in China. Also Trinidad and Tobago sent its track and field, table tennis, basketball and other sports teams to China.
(2) Military Exchanges
On July 16-19, 1999, the PLA General Political Department Deputy Director Lieutenant General Tang Tianbiao visited Trinidad and Tobago. President Arthur Robinson, Foreign Minister Ralph Maraj, Minister of National Security Joseph Theodore and Chief of General Staff Carl Alfonso met with the delegation. It was the first military exchange between China and Trinidad and Tobago.
On September 4-9, 2000, Trinidad and Tobago Minister of National Security Joseph Theodore paid an official visit to China at the invitation of General Chi Haotian, Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission, member of the State Council and Minister of National Defense. Vice Chairman Chi held talks with and a welcoming dinner in honor of Minister Theodore. State Councilor Luo Gan and Chief of General Staff Fu Quanyou met with Theodore and his entourage respectively.
On September 2-5, 2001, at the invitation of Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Panday, General Chi Haotian, Vice-Chairman of Central Military Commission, State Councilor and Minister of Defense, paid an official and friendly visit to Trinidad and Tobago. During the visit, President Robinson, Prime Minister Panday and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Assam met with the delegation respectively.
On March 18-22, 2003, PLA Deputy Chief of General Staff Qian Shugen led a delegation to visit Trinidad and Tobago. During the visit, the delegation paid a courtesy call on Acting Minister of National Security Franklyn Khan and met with Chief of Defense Staff Brigadier General Antoine.
IV. Important Bilateral Agreements and Documents
(1) Joint Communique between the People's Republic of China and Trinidad and Tobago on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, signed in New York on June 20, 1974, by Chinese Acting Permanent Representative to UN Zhuang Yen and Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to UN Seignoret.
(2) Agreement on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation between China and Trinidad and Tobago, signed in Beijing on July 16, 1985, by Chinese Premier and Prime Minister George Chambers. After revision, it was signed on May 21, 1999, by Chinese Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Zhang Shongxian and Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Minister Ralph Maraj.
(3) Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Concerning the Retention by Trinidad and Tobago of its Honorary Consulate in Hong Kong SAR of the P.R.C. and Agreement between the Government of People's Republic of China and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago on Mutual Exemption of Visas between Hong Kong SAR of the P.R.C. and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, signed in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago on March 24, 1997, by Chinese Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Lu Shulin and Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Minister Ralph Maraj.
(4) Agreement between the Government of China and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago on Economic and Technical Cooperation, signed in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, on September 26, 1997, by Chinese Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Lu Shulin and Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Minister Ralph Maraj.
(5) Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investment, signed in Port of Spain on July 22, 2002, by Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Ma Xiuhong and Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Minister Gift.
(6) Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago on Economic and Technical Cooperation, signed in Port of Spain on January 9, 2002, by Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Ma Xiuhong and Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Minister Gift.
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