Chinaand Omanestablished diplomatic relations on May 25, 1978. Bilateral relations between the two countries have ever since achieved a smooth development. Omani leaders have attached great importance to the development of friendly and cooperative relations with Chinaand the two countries have paid regular mutual visits to each other.

1. Political Relations

Exchanges of mutual visits are as Follows:

Oman: Foreign Minister Al-Zawawi (1978), Minister of National Heritage and Culture Faisal (1981, 1995), Minister in Charge of Foreign Affairs Alawi (1981, 1986, 1996), Deputy Prime Minister Fahar (1982), Special Representative of Sultan Thuwaini (1984 and 1997), Chairman of the Shura Council Al-Qatabi (1994), Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources Al-Shanfari (1993), Sultan Qaboos's Advisor for Foreign Affairs Al-Zawawi (1990, 1997), Secretary-General of Foreign Ministry Hithem (1994, 1997), Minister of Health Musa (September 1999), Chief of General Staff of the Omani Armed Forces Lieutenant General Khamees Bin Hameed Bin Salim Al-Kalbani(July 2000), Minister of Oil and Natural Gas Al-Romhi (April 2001), Under-Secretary of Foreign Ministry Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Bu Said (June 2001), Secretary of Urban Localities, Environment and Water Resources Hamis (April 2002), Secretary of Religious Funds and Religious Affairs Abdullah (April 2002), and Secretary of Industry and Commerce Magribu (October 2002).

China: Vice Premier Ji Pengfei (July 1980), President Yang Shangkun (December 1989), State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (January 1993), Vice Premier Li Lanqing (July 1993), Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Sun Fuling (November 1993), Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Qian Weichang (March 1996), Chairman of the Chinese People's Association for friendship with Foreign Countries Qi Huaiyuan (February 1997), Minister of Health Chen Minzhang (October 1997), Deputy Foreign minister Tian Zengpei (November 1997), Deputy Chief of General Staff of the PLA Wu Quanxu (April 1998), Chairman of the CPPCC Li Ruihuan (May, 1999), Chairmanof the National People's Conference Li Peng (December 1999), Vice Foreign Minister Ji Peiding (January 2000), Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Sun Guangxiang (October 2000), Vice Minister of Health Yin Dakui (April 2001), Vice Minister of Agriculture (Liu Jian), Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Yiesui (April 2001), State Councilor Wu Yi (March 2002), and Minister of Water Resources Wang Xucheng (October 2002).

2. Economic and trade relationship

Chinaestablished trade relations with Omanin early 1980s. In December 1989, the two countries set up a bilateral joint trade commission and have so far held five meetings. China's main exports to Omen are large-scale port equipment, textile products and garments, and its main import from the country is crude oil. Omanis one of China's major petroleum sellers and the total value of the petroleum dealings between Chinaand Omen is more than 90 percent of bilateral trade volume between the two countries.

In 2002, the total volume of trade between China and Oman came to US$1.506 billion, of which China's export was US$60 million, and import US$1.446 billion.

Agreements signed by the two countries are as follows: Agreement on Trade between Chinaand Omen (1980), Agreement between the Government of China and the Government of Oman on Investment Promotion and Protection (1995), and Agreement between Chinaand Omen on the Avoidance of Double Taxation (2002).

3. Cooperation in the fields of culture, health and aviation

The cultural and non-governmental exchanges between the two countries remain very active, which have involved the fields of education, information, sports, health, youths, religion, and archeology. In July 1981, Oman's "friendship" ship Suhar sailed to Chinaalong the ancient navigation route and received a warm welcome by the Chinese side with a grand ceremony. In December 1995, the monument of the ancient ship Suhar funded by Omanwas built in Guangzhou, South China's GuangdongProvince. In December 2001, Omani Sultan Kabbus donated US$200,000 to help the Quanzhou Museum of Overseas History build the Islamic Arab Exhibition Room. On September 30, 2001, Omani Sultan Kabbus, through Omani ambassador to China, presented to Chinese President Jiang Zemin a model of the imitation of the ancient ship "Suhar", in celebration of the 52nd National Day of China as well as in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the imitated ship's visit to China.