China and the Arab Republic of Yemen established diplomatic
relations at ministerial level on September 24, 1956, and upgraded
bilateral relations to ambassadorial level on February 13,
1963.
China established ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations with
the Democratic People's Republic of Yemen on January31, 1968. After
Yemen was united, China and Yemen set September 24, 1956as the date
of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations. The
friendly relations of cooperation between the two countries have
ever since made an unceasing development in the political,
economic, cultural and educational fields.
1. Political Relations and Mutual Exchange of
Visits
China supports Yemen's independence, sovereignty and territorial
integrity and supports its reunion. Yemen stands for the
restoration of China's legitimate membership in the United Nations
and sticks to its "One China" policy. The two countries have
enjoyed the same or similar views on many major international and
regional issues, and have consistently rendered understanding and
backing to each other.
Major visits to Yemen paid by Chinese officials are as follows:
State Councilor Zhang Jingfu (1986), Vice Premiers Ji Pengfei
(1989), Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (1990), Vice Chairmen of the
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Sai
Fuding (1993), Vice Premier Wu Bangguo (1996),Vice Chairman of the
National People's Congress Tomur Dawamat (2000), Vice Chairman of
the CPPCC Yang Rudai (2000), State councilor Simayi Aimat
(2003).
Yemeni leaders who visited China are: President Saleh (1987 and
1998), Member of Presidential Committee Ghani (1994, 2001), Deputy
General Secretary of Yemeni National People's Congress Yehia
(1995), Chairman of the Yemeni Consultative Committee, Special
Envoy of Chairman of Presidential Committee and, Foreign Minister
Abdul Karim Al-Aryani (1998), Vice President Hady (1999),
Parliament Speaker Al-Ahmar (1999), Foreign Minister Kulbi (2002),
and General Secretary of Yemeni National People's Congress Abdul
Karim Al-Aryani (2002).
2. Economic Cooperation and Trade Relations
The total volume of Sino-Yemeni trade in 2002 reached US$731
million, of which the Chinese export was US$305.24 million, and
import US$425.87 million. Since 1979, Chinahas begun undertaking
contracted projects, providing labor services and launching joint
ventures in Yemen. By the end of 2000, Chinahas in all undertaken
951service cooperation projects in Yemenwith a contracted value of
US$1.205 billion. The value of the projects completed has amounted
to US$962 million. So far, the number of the Chinese laborers in
Yemenis in all 1400. Chinaand Yemenhave established a Joint
Economic and trade Commission held regular meetings
Chinaand Yemensigned an Agreement on Economic and Technical
Cooperation (1998) and an Agreement on Promotion and Protection of
Investment(1998).
3. Exchanges and Cooperation in other
fields
China has dispatched to Yemen medical teams and groups of sports
coaches and teachers, etc. In 1995, the city of Shanghaied China
and Aden Province of Yemen signed an agreement on the establishment
of the friendship-city relationship. In 1998, AnhuiProvince, in
East China, and Hadramout Province of Yemen signed an agreement on
the establishment of the friendship-city relationship.
4. Important Agreements and Documents
The two government of China and Yemenhave signed agreements of
cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, culture, education,
science and technology, sports, aviation and consular affairs,
among which important bilateral agreements are as follows:
Agreement between the Government of China and the Government of
Yemen on Economic and Technical Cooperation (February 1998)
Agreement between the Government of China and the Government of
Yemen on Promotion and Protection of Investment (February 1998)
Agreement between the Government of Chinaand the Government of
Yemenon Cultural Cooperation (February 1998)
Protocol of Exchange of Instruments of Ratification of Agreement
on Consular Affairs between China and Yemen(February 1998)
Agreement between China and Yemen on Sports Cooperation (March
1998)
Agreement between China and Yemenon the 2001-2003 educational
cooperation (April 2001)
Agreement on the Dispatching of Chinese Medical Teams to Yemen
(August 2001)
(China.org.cn September 21, 2007)