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)