1. Political relations

The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau established the diplomatic relations on March 15, 1974. On May 26 1990, the Guinea-Bissau set up the so-called "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan Authority and on May 31, China declared to end the diplomatic relations with Guinea-Bissau. The diplomatic relations of China and Guinea-Bissau were restored on April 23, 1998.

Important visits by Chinese leaders and officials to Guinea-Bissau include: Wang Hanbin, Vice-chairman of the NPC (September 1989).

Leaders and officials who visited China from Guinea-Bissau are: Victor Saúde Maria, Minister of Foreign Affairs (July 1975), João Bernardo Vieira, Head of the State, Chairman of the Revolutionary Committee (April 1982), Paulo Corréia, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly (April 1985), Carmen Pereira, Speaker of the National Assembly (April 1986), Fernando Delfim da Silva, Foreign Minister (April 1998), Ansumane Mané, Commander of the Military Commission (October 1999), Francisca Vaz Turpin, Political and Foreign Affairs Counselor to President (August 2000), Filomena Mascarenhas Tipote, Special Envoy of the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs (January 2002) and Koumba Yala, President of Guinea-Bissau (December 2002).

2. Economy and trade relations and economic and technological cooperation

From March 1974 to May 1990, China and Guinea-Bissau signed several times the agreement on economic and technological cooperation. China has provided Guinea-Bissau with the construction of a stadium, hospital and rice-technique promotion station, etc. After the restoration of the diplomatic relations of the two countries in April 1998, due to the country being in a state of war-turmoil from June that year, the bilateral cooperation was started in May next year when the situation there became relatively stable. At present, the project items now in the execution consist of bilateral agro-technological cooperation, housing, and power-generating equipment and technical cooperation and bamboo-weaving technical cooperation as well. China also signed with Guinea-Bissau the agreement on fishery cooperation. In 2002, the trading value of the two countries reached US$ 4.504 million, all being the Chinese exports.

3. Exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, science and technology and military affairs

The governments of China and Guinea-Bissau signed the agreement for cultural cooperation in 1982 and the cultural delegations of the two countries ever had mutual visits.

Starting from 1977, every year China provides Guinea-Bissau with a quota of scholarships. Up to the end of 1988 there were 13 students coming from Guinea-Bissau to study in China. The year of 2002 saw 5 students from Guinea-Bissau studying here in China.

The two governments of China and Guinea-Bissau signed the protocol for China to dispatch medical team to Guinea-Bissau. From 1976 to 1990, China sent altogether 7 batched of medical team with a total of over 100 person/times. In June 2000, China started again to send medical team to Guinea-Bissau and now there are 7 medical personnel working in the capital of that country.

4. Important agreement and document

On March 15, 1974the two governments of China and Guinea-Bissau signed the joint communiqué on the establishment of the diplomatic relations of the two countries.

On April 23, 1998, The governments of the two countries signed the "Joint Communiqué on the Restoration of the Diplomatic Relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau" and the "Understanding Memorandum for the Restoration of the Diplomatic Relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau". The communiqué for the restoration of the diplomatic relations pointed out "in accordance with the interests and wishes of the peoples of the two countries, the government of the People's Republic of China and the government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau agreed to send to each other's side its ambassador and provide convenience for the work of embassy of the other side on an equal-footing basis. The government of the People's Republic of China supports the efforts made by the Republic of Guinea-Bissau for maintaining the national sovereignty and development of economy. The government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau recognizes that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole China and that Taiwan is a part of the inseparable territory of China. The People's Republic of China expressed its appreciation for the stand adopted by the government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau."

(Chinese Foreign Ministry October 10, 2006)