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China entered into diplomatic relations with independent former Soviet republics

Drastic changes took place in the Soviet Union in 1991. The three Baltic states first declared independence, followed by other Soviet republics. By the end of 1991, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics finally disintegrated, and its 15 republics became independent countries. In observation of the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and of respect for the choice made by people of other countries, China quickly entered into diplomatic relations with these newly independent countries.

In September, 1991, on the second day after the Soviet Union recognized the independence of the three Baltic states of Esthonia, latvia and Lithuania, Foreign Minister Qian Qichen sent telegrams to the foreign ministers of these countries, recognizing their independence. The Chinese government then sent a vice foreign minister level delegation to visit these countries for consultation on forging diplomatic ties. China expressed its desire to develop friendly relations of cooperation with them on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and its support to the governments of the three countries in their efforts to safeguard national independence and develop economy. The governments of the three countries pledged their support to the principled position of the Chinese government on Taiwan and committed not to enter into any form of official relations with Taiwan. On September 11, 12 and 14, China respectively signed communiqués on establishing diplomatic relations with Esthonia, latvia and Lithuania, formally cementing diplomatic ties with them at ambassadorial level.

On December 25, 1991, the day Gorbachev announced his resignation as the president of the Soviet Union, the spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that since the former Soviet republics had announced independence, the Chinese government, in keeping with the principle of not interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, respected the choices of the people of these countries. On December 27, Foreign Minister Qian Qichen sent a telegram to the foreign minister of the Russian Federation, informing him that China had re-appointed Ambassador Wang Jinqing to the former Soviet Union as ambassador to the Russian Federation. During the same day, Foreign Minister Qian sent telegrams to the foreign ministers of 11 countries, namely, Ukraine, Byelorussia, Kazakhastan, Uzbekstan, Tajikstan, Kirghistan Turkmenstan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbajian and Moldova, declaring that the People's Republic of China recognized their independence and was ready to enter into negotiation with them on the establishment of diplomatic relations. Between late December, 1991 to early January, 1992, a Chinese government delegation visited 8 countries: Ukraine, Russia, Byelorussia, Uzbekstan, Kazakhastan, Tajikstan, Kirghistan and Turkmenstan, and held talks with the governments of these countries on the establishment of diplomatic relations. On January 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, China respectively signed communiqués on the establishment of diplomatic relations with Uzbekstan, Hazakhastan, Tajikstan, Kirghistan and Turkmenstan. On January 30, 1992, the prime Minster of Byelorussia visited China during which a communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations was signed by the two countries. At the same time, Chinese ambassador to Russia, as the representative of China, respectively had negotiations with Ukraine, Moldova, Azerbajian, Armenia and Georgia on establishing diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level and respectively signed communiqués on the establishment of diplomatic relations with them on January 4, 30, April 2, 6 and June 9.

China thus had entered into diplomatic relations with all the 15 independent former Soviet republics. In the same year, China started to set up embassies in and dispatched resident ambassadors to these countries. By April, 1993, China had ambassadors(including serving concurrently) in all these countries. China now enjoys stable bilateral relations and normal trade relations with these countries. Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, China has developed on a new basis good neighborly relations with the independent and sovereign states in the former Soviet Union and particularly Russia and China's neighbors in Central Asia. This has created a good neighborly environment for China to pursue its program of reform, opening-up and socialist modernization and contributed to peace and stability in both Asia Pacific and the rest of the world.
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