With a view to promoting the friendship and cooperation between China and Qatar and the two peoples and to strengthening the consultation and cooperation between the two ministries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar (hereinafter referred to as "the two sides") have reached the following agreement:

1. The two sides will establish a mechanism of regular political consultations, and hold high-ranking official meetings in the two capitals of their respective countries in rotation.

2. During the consultations, the two sides will exchange views on the bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common interest.

3. The two sides will cooperate and coordinate with each other in international agencies, organizations and conferences ad well as on other occasions.

4. The two sides will carry out academic discussions and exchange experience.

5. This Memorandum of Understanding shall come into effect on the date of its signature and remain in force unless either side requests its termination.

Done in duplicate in Beijing on 9 April 1999 in the Chinese, Arabic and English languages, the three texts being equally authentic.