A joint communiqué was signed in Beijing Sunday night by Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and his counterpart from Chad Ahmad Alklam-mi to resume diplomatic ties between the two countries.
   
"The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Chad, in accordance with the interests and aspirations of the peoples of the two countries, agreed to resume diplomatic ties at the ambassador level starting from August 6, 2006," the communiqué says.
   
The two countries have agreed to resend ambassadors to each other's countries and provide convenience for the establishment and work of each other's embassies on an equal footing, it says.
   
According to the communiqué, the Chinese government supports the efforts made by the government of Chad to safeguard state sovereignty and develop the economy.
   
"The Chad government recognizes that there is only one China in the world and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole China. Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory," it says.
   
The Chinese government expressed appreciation for the stance the Chad government pursues, the communiqué says.
   
After the signing ceremony, Li and Ahmad Allam-mi had an exchange of views on bilateral ties and international and regional issues of common concern.
  
Chad is the 169th country to have diplomatic ties with China.     
   
The two countries established formal diplomatic links in 1972 but China severed relations with Chad in 1997 when the country "resumed" diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2006)