1. Political relations

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Djibouti on January 8, 1979, bilateral relations have made a steady advancement.

Major visits to Djibouti by Chinese senior officials are:Vice Premier Ji Pengfei (September 1980), Minister of Urban and Rural Construction Rui Xingwen (March 1985), Vice Foreign Minister Yang Fuchang (August 1990), Minister of Sports Wu Shaozu(June 1993), Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Wang Zhaoguo (May 1994), Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (January 1996), Assistant Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Yang Wensheng (1998), Vice Foreign Minister Ji Peiding (February 1999), Du Tiehuan, Political Commissar of Beijing Military Area Command (June 2002), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (June 2006), and Vice Foreign Minister Qiao Zonghuai (December 2002).

Leaders and senior officials of Djibouti who visited China include:President Gouled Aptidon (he visited China in December 1979, March 1991, July 1994 and August 1998 at the capacity of the president, and paid a private visit to China in May 1999 for medical treatment, Speaker of the National Assembly Askar (September 1981), Mumin, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (March 1985), Farah, Minister of Industry, Energy and Mineral Farah (October 1996), Minister of Health A.M. Daoud (May 1997), Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation M.M. Chehem (Oct. 1997), Minister of Culture Abdillahi (April 1998), Vice Chairman of Rassemblement Populaire pour le Progres Gairre (May 1998), Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces Fathi (Sep. 1998), Prime Minister Hamadou (May 1999), Speaker of Parliament Said Ibraim Badoul (March 2000), President Guelleh (2001), National Secretary of Rassemblement Populaire pour le Progres Waberi (March 2002), Minister of Economy Planning Yacin Bouh (August 2002), Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Arape (September 2002), Minister of Health Kamyr (October 2002), and Director of the Djibouti News Agency Buro (October 2002).

2. Trade relations and economic and technological cooperation

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations China and Djibouti, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has witnessed a steady development.

The two countries signed an agreement on economic and technical cooperation.

Since 1979, China has provided Djibouti with aid projects including the People's Palace, a monument, a stadium, an outpatient building, housing projects, and the office building of Foreign Affairs.

Mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides began in 1982. By the end of June of 2002, there had been 478 contracts for service cooperation signed between the two sides. China's companies working on projects in Djibouti are the China Construction Engineering Co., China Civil Engineering Corp and some other Chinese companies. They have undertaken such projects as the construction of school and bank in Djibouti. In 1998, China and Djibouti signed a Agreement on Trade between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Djibouti. The trade volume between the two countries in 2002 stood at US$ 49.83 million, among which China's export was US$49.81 million, and import US$20,000.

3. Exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, education and health

China and Djibouti have carried out friendly cooperation in the field of culture, education and health. Since 1986, China has begun to provide scholarship for Djibouti students. At present, there are six Djibouti students studying in China. Since 1980, China has begun sending medical teams to Djibouti. At present, a Chinese medical team consisting of 10 personnel is working in Djibouti.

4. Important documents

The Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Djibouti (January 1979)

(Chinese Foreign Ministry October 10, 2006)