I. Political Relations

China and Argentina established diplomatic relations on Feb. 19, 1972. In the early stage after the establishment of diplomatic ties, there were not many political exchanges. However, bilateral trade was quite active. Since 1980's bilateral relations have witnessed comprehensive development in exchanges and cooperation in political, economic, military, scientific and technological, cultural and educational fields. The two countries enjoy close cooperation in international organizations and conferences. Beijing and Buenos Aires, Shanghai and Rosario, Hebei Province and Buenos Aires Province, Jilin Province and Entre Rios Province have signed treaties on sister city or sister province relationship respectively.

President Jiang Zemin paid a state visit to Argentina in April 2001 and Chairman Li Peng of NPC Standing Committee paid an official friendly visit in November of the same year. Other important visits by Chinese leaders since 1990's include: President Yang Shangkun (1990), State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (1993), Chairman Qiao Shi of NPC Standing Committee (1994), Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, Secretary of its Secretariat Hu Jintao (1994), State Councilor Li Tieying (1995), Vice- Premier Zhu Rongji (1996), Vice-Premier Li Lanqing (1997), Vice- Premier Wu Bangguo (1998), Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, Secretary of its Secretariat Wei Jianxing(1999), Vice-Chairman Tian Jiyun of NPC Standing Committee (2002) and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan (2002).

Argentine President Dedura paid a state visit to China in September 2000. Other important visits to China by Argentine leaders are as follows: President Jordela (1980), President Alofonsin (1988), Acting Chairman of Senate Eduardo Menem (1989), President Carlos Menem (1990 and 1995), President of the Supreme Court Levene (1992), Procurator General (1995), Procurator General Becerra (1999) and Foreign Minister Diatt (1992 and 1997).

In November 1990, the two governments signed in Beijing the Agreement between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Argentine on the Establishment of Political Consultation Mechanism. Up to now the two foreign ministries have held six rounds of political consultations. In addition to the mutual establishment of embassies in each other's countries, Argentine also has a Consulate-General in Shanghai and another in Hong Kong SAR.

II. Economic and Trade Relations, Economic and Technological Cooperation

Argentina is one of the major trading partners of China in Latin America. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral trade has been developing smoothly. Bilateral trade volume in 1997 surpassed $1 billion for the first time. In 2001, bilateral trade volume amounted to$1.85 billion. In 2002, it went down a little bit, totaling $1.425 billion, with Chinese exports at $185 million and imports at $1.24 billion, decreasing by 23.2%, 67.7% and 3.2% respectively as compared with the previous year. China mainly imports from Argentina wheat, steel products, leather, soybean, vegetable oil, raw cotton, and mainly exports mechanical and electrical products, light industrial and textile products.

Since the signing of the economic cooperation agreement in 1980, the two countries have had wide contact and cooperation in the fields of agriculture, animal husbandry, mining, wine-making, fruit processing, harbor dredging, fishing and small hydro-electric power etc.

By the end of 2002, 28 Chinese invested enterprises had been registered in Argentine The investment totaled $24.56 million with Chinese investment at $11.24 million. These enterprises are mainly engaged in producing and processing, exploiting resources, agriculture, fishery, and import and export trade, with the major cooperation projects being Amadan Co. Ltd. (color TV set assembling), Jinag. S.A. Co. Ltd. (motorcycle assembling), Argentine-China Houshold Appliances (washing machine assembling) and a number of fishing companies. Chinese enterprises have signed with the Argentine side labor service contracts worth $159 million, of which $103 million being completed. By the end of 2002 Argentina had invested in 279 projects in China with the total contracted investment reaching $217 million and the actual investment at $68.96 million. Argentine enterprises are mainly engaged in real estate.

III. Cultural Exchanges and Cooperation

Cultural exchanges between China and Argentina started as from the 1950's. Thanks to the joint efforts of the two sides, cultural exchanges have been greatly expanded. Cooperation in the fields of culture and art, science and technology, education, sports, news and press, radio, film and TV programs has been continuously strengthened. Main cultural activities China has held in Argentina are as follows: Chinese Engraving Exhibition (1981), Chinese Calligraphy and Paintings Exhibition (1988), Chinese Farmer's Paintings Exhibition (1991), Tibetan Treasure Exhibition (1993), Chinese Photographic Art Exhibition (1996), Comprehensive Cultural Exhibition Titled "China: From History to Future" (1996), Chinese Contemporary Oil Paintings Exhibition (1998), Picture Exhibition in Celebration of Hong Kong's Return to the Motherland (1998), and Chinese Fine Works of Archaeology (Duplicates) Exhibition (2000). Visits to Argentina by Chinese sides are: Shanghai Song and Dance Troupe (1982), Chinese Film Delegation (1987), Chinese Song and Dance Troupe of Nationalities (1991), Chinese Jianlibao Youth Football Team (1995), Sculptural and Photographic Group of the Ministry of Culture (1995), Chinese Star Art Delegation and Tianjin Youth Peking Opera Troupe (1997), Anhui Acrobatic Troupe (1999), and Tibetan Snow Lotus Children's Art Troupe. China Radio International and Argentinean Internet Company signed an agreement on cooperation in April 2001. Beijing held "Beijing Culture Week" in Buenos Aires, Capital of Argentina in October of the same year.

In 1988, an exhibition of Argentine paintings of the 20th century was held in Beijing. Argentine Film Delegation (1987), great master of Tango Polese (1989), Folk Art Delegation (1994), Boca Youth Football Team (1996), Head of Oriental Art Museum of Argentina Osvaldo, Julio Ballet Troupe, Lacamola Tango Troupe (1998) visited China or gave performances in China. Buenos Aires held "Buenos Aires Culture Week" in Beijing in November 2001.

IV. Military Exchanges and Cooperation

Friendly military cooperation has been conducted between China and Argentina since the establishment of diplomatic ties. Deputy Chief of General Staff Chi Haotian (1981), Deputy Chief of General Staff Xu Huizi (1988), Deputy Chief of General Staff Li Jing (1995), Deputy Chief of General Staff Wu Quanxu (1996), Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Wannian (1997), Chief of General Staff Fu Quanyou (1998), Deputy Chief of General Staff Guo Boxiong (2000) and Deputy Chief of General Staff Kui Fulin (2003) paid friendly visits to Argentina at the head of Chinese military delegations. General Valdner of the Joint Chief of the Armed Force (1986), Chief of Naval Staff Lt. General Arroza (1987), Chief of Air Staff Lt. General Crespo (1988), General Oses of the Joint Chief of the Armed Force (1990), General Diaz of the Joint Chief of the Armed Force (1995), and General Zabala of the Joint Chief of the Armed Force (1999) visited China successively. Argentine Air Force Aviation School sent big delegations to visit China in 1979 and 1987 respectively.

V. Important Bilateral Agreements

(1) Joint Communique Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentine on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations (signed on February 19, 1972)

(2) Trade Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Republic of Argentina (signed on February 2, 1977)

(3) Agreement on Maritime Transport between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Republic of Argentina (signed on May 30, 1978)

(4) Exchange of Notes on Tax Exemption of Maritime Transport Industry between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on May 30, 1978)

(5) Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on May 30, 1978)

(6) Exchange of Notes on Cultural Exchanges between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on June 7, 1980)

(7) Agreement on Economic Cooperation between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on June 7, 1980)

(8) Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Utilization of Nuclear Energy between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on August 9, 1984)

(9) Supplementary Protocol to the Agreement on Economic Cooperation between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on November 7, 1985)

(10) Agreement on Cooperation in Antarctic between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on May 16, 1988)

(11) Agreement on Cooperation in the Research and Application of Astronautic Science between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on May 16, 1988)

(12) Agreement on Animal Quarantine and Health Cooperation between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on May 16, 1988)

(13) Exchange of Note on Mutual Establishment of Consulates General between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on May 16, 1988)

(14) Exchange of Note on Mutual Simplification of Procedures on Passport Visas for Resident Diplomatic Mission Members between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on May 28, 1990)

(15) Protocol on Consultation Mechanism between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on November 15, 1990)

(16) Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina on Promoting the Establishment of Joint Ventures (signed on November 15, 1990)

(17) Consular Treaty between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on November 15, 1990)

(18) Protocol on the Promotion and Protection of Investment between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on November 5, 1992)

(19) Agreement on Partial Exemption of Passport Visas between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on March 10, 1993)

(20) Memorandum of Understanding on Judicial Cooperation and Exchanges between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed in April, 1994)

(21) Agreement on Mutual Establishment of Consulates General between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on October 4, 1995)

(22) Amendment to the Agreement on Mutual Establishment of Maritime Transport between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on October 5, 1995)

(23) Exchange of Notes on the retention of Argentine Consulate General in Hong Kong (signed in January 1997)

(24) Agreement on Cooperation between Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China and Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Argentina (signed in April 1997)

(25) Exchange of Notes on the expansion of Consular district of Argentine Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR to Macao SAR (signed in June 1999)

(26) Bilateral Agreement on China's Entry into the WTO (signed in March 2000)

(27) Agreement on Technological Cooperation in the Field of Geo-science between China and Argentina (signed on September 13, 2000)

(28) Agreement on Legal Assistance in Civil and Commercial Affairs Between the Government of People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on April 9, 2001)

(29) Agreement on Bio-engineering and Bio-safety between the Government of People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Argentina (signed on April 9, 2001)

(30) Agreement on Cooperation between the Foreign Affairs University of the People's Republic of China and the Foreign Affairs College of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Argentine (signed on October 18, 2002)