On March 29, 2004, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council held talks with Abdul Qader Bajammal, Prime Minister of the Republic of Yemen, at the Great Hall of the People. The two sides exchanged views on China-Yemen relations and other issues of common concern.

Wen said relations between the two countries have been developing smoothly since the establishment of diplomatic relations 48 years ago, with areas of cooperation continuously expanding. Over the years, Yemen has offered precious support to China on issues related to Taiwan, human rights, ect. In return, China has also rendered its firm support for efforts by Yemen to realize its lofty cause of reunification and safeguard national independence and territorial integrity. The mutual understanding and support have combined to consolidate the political basis of relations between the two countries. Wen Jiabao noted that economic and trade relations between China and Yemen have surged in recent years with bilateral trade volume in 2003 increasing by 160% over the previous year, and the two sides have conducted fruitful cooperation in such fields as communications, power, energy and infrastructure construction. China is satisfied with development of the relations between the two countries.

Wen stressed that China attaches great importance to relations between the two countries and deems it in the fundamental interests of both sides to further expand the current friendly relations of cooperation. China hopes to work together with Yemen to promote exchanges between the two countries at all levels, boost mutual political trust and make friendship between the two countries go deeper into the hearts of the two peoples. China will also tap the existing potentials for further economic and trade cooperation with Yemen and strengthen coordination and cooperation with Yemen in international affairs so as to make due contributions to regional peace and development through the newly established mechanism of China-Arab Cooperation Forum.

When talking about China-Yemen relations, Wen said that Arab states represent an important force in the international arena. China is willing to cooperate with Arab states, including Yemen, to cope with common challenges and pursue shared goals, and China is committed to finding an early, fair and reasonable solution to the Middle East issue.

Bajammal indicated that he fully agreed with comments given by Wen on relations between the two countries and Wen's suggestions on the promotion of comprehensive development of bilateral cooperation. He said that the Yemeni people have been supported and assisted by the Chinese people in different times of history of Yemen, be it for national independence, for reunification or for development. Therefore, cooperation between the two countries boasts a solid basis. Yemen stands ready to work together with China to bring relations between the two countries to a new stage. Bajammal added that Yemen has suffered a lot from national separation. Therefore it fully understands the stance of the Chinese government on the Taiwan issue and supports the lofty cause of China's reunification.

Bajammal said the Arab states thought highly of the important role of China in international affairs and its firm position on supporting the righteous cause of the Arab people. The Arab states are willing to deepen the friendly and cooperative relations with China comprehensively through mechanisms like China-Arab Cooperation Forum.

After the talks, Wen and Bajammal attended the signing ceremony for 7 documents of cooperation between the two countries, which cover such areas as economy, education and energy, including the Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Yemen on Economic and Technical Cooperation.

Prior to the talks, Wen held a welcoming ceremony for Bajammal at the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman of China Democratic National Construction Association Zhu Xiangyuan, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Director of the State Development and Reform Commission Ma Kai, Minister of Education Zhou Ji and Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai attended the ceremony.