I. Political Relations

On February 3, 1988, China and Uruguay established diplomatic relations. Since then bilateral relations have developed steadily and smoothly. The two sides have kept on exchanging high level visits and achieved a continuous expansion of trade and economic cooperation. China and Uruguay support and cooperate with each other in international organizations and conferences. President Jiang Zemin paid a state visit to Uruguay in April 2001, marking a new stage in bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation characterized by long-term stability, equality and mutual benefit. After taking office in March 2000, President Batlle set bilateral relations with China as one of the top priorities in Uruguay's diplomatic work and paid a state visit to China in October 2002.

There have been frequent high level visits between the two sides. Important visits by Chinese leaders include: President Yang Shangkun (1990), State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (1993), State Councilor and Defense Minister Chi Haotian (1994), Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Hu Jingtao (1994), Vice-Premier Zhu Rongji (1996), Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee Xie Fe (1996), State Councilor Li Guixian (1996), Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat Wei Jianxing (1999), President Jiang Zemin and Chairman Li Peng of NPC Standing Committee of (2001), Vice-Chairman of CCPCC and Head of the United Front Department of the CPC Central Committee Wang Zhaoguo (2002).

Important visits by Uruguayan leaders are as follows: President Julio Maria Sanguinitti (1988 and 1997), Foreign Minister Hector Gros Espiell (1990), President Luis Alberto de Lacalle (1993), Vice-President and General Assemby President Ranjele (1993), Vice-President and General Assembly President Hugo Batalla (1998), President of the Chamber of Representatives Jaime Trobo (1999), Chairman of the 53rd UN General Assembly and Uruguayan Foreign Minister Didier Opertti Badan (1999), Vice-President and General Assembly President Fernandes Fanged (1999), President of the Chamber of Representatives Raosalott (2000), Vice-President and General Assembly President Yero (2000) and President of the Chamber of Representatives Afudara (2001), President of the Chamber of Representatives Penades (2002) and President of the Chamber of Representatives Alvarez (2003).

II. Economic and Trade Relations

In the 14 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Sino-Uruguayan trade has been increasing rapidly. Trade volume in 2000 set a record of $344 million. In 2002, trade volume totaled $173.050 million, with Chinese import at $78.10 million and export at $94.95 million, a decrease year-on-year by 39.1%, 19.2% and 49.7% respectively. China mainly imports wool, leather and frozen fish from Uruguay and exports daily light industry products, textiles and hardware tools to Uruguay.

The two sides have carried out small-scale cooperation in rice growing, grapes cultivation and light trucks assembling. By the end of June 2002, China had set up 6 joint ventures in Uruguay, totaling an investment of $4.33 million, with Chinese investment at $1.83 million. By the end of 2002, China had signed 38 labor contracts worth $12.16 million of contracted value with $1064 million completed. Uruguay has invested in 16 projects in China, with total contracted value of $3.69 million and actual investment of $1.69 million.

III. Cultural Relations

After the signing of the cultural and educational cooperation agreement, the two sides signed four executive plans for cultural exchanges. Chinese government cultural delegations visited Uruguay three times respectively in 1991, 1993 and 1995 at the invitation of the Uruguayan side. In 1997, Yang Weiguang, Vice-Minister of Radio, Film and Television visited Uruguay. In 1994, Uruguayan Minister of Education and Culture visited China. The two countries also carried out exchanges of culture and art groups and personnel.

IV. Military Relations

In 1997, China and Uruguay set up Offices of Military Attaché in each other's country. Visits by Chinese military officials: Defense Minister Chi Haotian (1994), Chief of General Staff Fu Quanyou (1998), President of National Defense University Xin Shizhong (1999), and deputy Director of General Political Department Zhou Ziyu (2000). Visits by Uruguayan military officials: Defense Minister Martines (1994), Defense Minister Yitulia (1997), Defense Minister Sitolasai (1999), and vice-Defense Minister Avaronia(2001).

V. Important Agreements

More than twenty agreements have been signed between the two governments and relative departments since China and Uruguay established diplomatic relations. The following are the major ones:

(1) Joint Communique between the People's Republic of China and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, signed (February 1988).

(2) Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay on Economic and Technical Cooperation (ditto).

(3) Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay on Cultural and Educational Cooperation (ditto)

(4) Trade Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (ditto).

(5) Agreement on Provision of Loan by the Government of the People's Republic of China to the Government of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (November 1988).

(6) Exchange of Notes between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay on the Exemption of Visa for Diplomatic Passports (November 1988).

(7) Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay on Cooperation in Animal Quarantine and Hygiene (May 1990).

(8) Agreement on Sports Cooperation between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (ditto).

(9) Protocol on the Establishment of Political Consultation Mechanism between the Foreign Ministry of the People's Republic of China and the Foreign Ministry of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (March 1993).

(10) Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (April 1993).

(11) Exchange of Notes between the Chinese Government and the Uruguayan Government on the Retention of Uruguayan Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR (April 1997).

(12) Bilateral Agreement on China's entry into the WTO (January 2000).

(13) Agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China and Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Agriculture and Fishing of Uruguay on Cooperation in Fishing and Aquatic Biological Resources (October 2002).