Chinaand Kuwaitestablished diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level on March 22, 1971. The friendly cooperative relations between the two countries in the fields of politics, economy, culture, and military have ever since gained a steady development

I. Political Relations and Exchanges of Major Visits

The relations between Chinaand Kuwaithave been developing smoothly since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Both countries share identical or similar views on many major international and regional issues, constantly rendering sympathy and support to each other. During the Gulf Crisis in 1990, Chinaresolutely opposed Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwaitand demanded that Iraqshould withdraw its troops from Kuwaitand restore and respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kuwait. After the Gulf War, Chinahas reiterated on many occasions its firm support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kuwaitas well as Kuwait's just demand for settling the issues left over from the Gulf War.

Exchange of major visits between Chinaand Kuwaitare as follows:

China: President Yang Shangkun (1989), Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (1990), Premier Li Peng (1991), Vice Premier Li Lanqing (1993), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Wang Bingqian (1993), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Wu Jieping (1995), State Councillor Luo Gan (1995), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress Tomur Dawamat (2000), Vice Premier Wu Bangguo (2000), Foreign Minister Tan Jiaxuan (2000), Minister of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee Dai Bingguo (2001, 2002), and State Councilor Simayi Aimat (2003).

Kuwait: Kuwait Emir Jaber (1965, 1990 and 1991), Crown Prince and Prime Minister Saad (1995), Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sabah (1977,1988 and twice in 1990), Speaker of Parliament Al-Sadoun (1993), Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Ahmed Salem (1999), Deputy Speaker Meshari Al-Anjari (2001), Minister of Information Ahmad Al-Fahed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (2001), Governor Ali Al-Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah (2001), Minister of Finance and Planning Shibullashi (2002), Minister of Telecommunication Abdullah (2002), and Chief of the General Staff Muming (2002)

II. Economic and trade Cooperation and Trade Relations

Chinaand Kuwaitbegan direct civil trade as early as in 1955. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, bilateral economic and trade exchanges have become more frequent, and bilateral trade volume has been on the increase. The trade volume between Chinaand Kuwaitin 2002 was US$727 million, of which the Chinese export was US$263 million, and import US$464 million. Kuwaithas been the largest supplier of preferential official loans to Chinaamong Arab countries. From 1982 to the end of 2001, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development had provided Chinawith US$ 620 million of loans on favorable terms, which were aimed at aiding the construction of China's 26 large and middle-scale projects. In 1998, the Kuwaiti Government donated a total of US$3 million of cash to the Chinese Government when Chinasuffered from serious floods.

Economic and trade agreements signed between the Chinese and Kuwaiti governments are as follows: Agreement on Trade (1980), Agreement on Promotion and Protection of Investment (1985), Agreement on Establishing Joint Economic and Trade Committee (1986), Agreement on Avoiding Double Taxation (1989) and Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation (1989).

III. Exchanges and Cooperation in other fields