In January 1960, the Cameroonever established "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan Authority and "severed the relations" after the establishment of the diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of Chinaon March 26, 1971. Since then the relations between the two countries of Chinaand Cameroonhave witnessed a steady development with sincere and friendly cooperation carried out in every aspect.

B. Review of bilateral political relations

Chinese leaders and officials who visited Cameroon mainly include: Chen Muhua, Vice-premier of the State Council (August 1978), Gong Dafei, Vice-minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (November 1981), Zhang Jinfu, Member of the State Council (November 1986), Qian Zhengying, Vice-chairperson of the NPPCC (July 1988), Wang Hanbin, Vice-chairman of the NPC (September 1989), Yang Fuchang, Vice-minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (August 1991), Ma Wenrui, Vice-chairperson of the NPPCC (March 1992), Qian Qichen, Member of the State Council and concurrently Minister of foreign affairs (January 1993), Li Lanqing, Vice-premier of the State Council (November 1995), Tian Zengpei, Vice-minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (April 1996), Bu He, Vice-chairman of the NPC (November 1996), Li Peng, Premier of the State Council (May 1997), Ji Peiding, Vice-minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (June 1998), Dai Bingguo, Minister of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee (February 2000) Tang Jiaxuan, Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (January 2001).

From August 29 ? 31, 2002at the invitation of Paul Piya, President of Cameroon, Zhu Rongji, Premier of the State Council paid an official visit to the Federal Republic of Cameroon.

From April 3 ? 5, 2003, invited by the Cameroonministry of foreign affairs Yang Wenchang, Vice-minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs paid a working visit to Cameroon.

Leaders and officials who visited China from Cameroon include: Vincent Efon, Foreign minister (August 1972), Ahmadou Ahijo, President (March 1973, October 1977), Luc Ayang, president of the social and economic council (August 1986, September 1990), Paul Piya, President (March 1987, October 1993), Fonka Shang Lawrence, Speaker of the National Assembly (May 1989), Joseph Tsanga Abanda, President's special envoy (April 1994), Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, Speaker of the National Assembly (September 1996), Augustin Kontchou Kouomegni, Minister for State Affairs in charge of Foreign Relations (June 2000).

From October 10 ? 12, 2000, the Cameroon Delegation headed by Augustin Kontchou Kouomegni, Minister for State Affairs in charge of Foreign Relations and Melingui Roguer, representative at ministerial level in charge of economy and finance came to attend the Beijing Ministerial Meeting 2000 of the Sino-African Cooperation Forum.

C. Bilateral economy and trade relations and economic and technological cooperation

The projects as aids provided by China for Cameroon mainly cover: conference building, ???Hydro-power station, sewing workshop for handicapped women, and women and children hospitals. The mutual-benefit cooperation between Chinaand Cameroonstarted from 1982 and then China Geological Engineering Group Co. and ChinaHydro-power Foreign Project Co. undertook the well-sinking and road-building projects in Cameroon. The trade agreement between Chinaand Cameroonwas signed in 1972 and a new agreement again signed in 2002. The year of 2002 saw the total trade value between China and Cameroon reached US$ 158.628 million, a decrease of 25.5 percent as compared with the corresponding period of last year, of which the Chinese exports took up US$ 43.971 million, an increase of 50 percent over that of last year while the imports registered US$ 114.657 million, a reduction of 37.6 percent.

D. Other exchanges

Every year Chinaprovides a quota of 10 scholarships for students from Cameroonand up to now there are 50 Cameroonstudents studying in China. Chinahas set up a Chinese language training center in Cameroon. In 1989, China, in line with the educational aid, set up a microbe lab in YaoundeUniversity. Starting from 1975, Chinabegan to send medical team to work in Cameroonand now there are 44 medical personnel working there.

In March 1979, a military delegation headed by Liao Hansheng, Political Commissar of Nanjing Military Zone visited Cameroon. In August 1993, Lieutenant General Zhang Taiheng, Commander of JinanMilitary Zone headed a military delegation to visit Cameroon. In June 2001, a military delegation headed by Wu Quanxu, Deputy-chief of the General Staff visited Cameroon. In September 2002, General Jiang Futang, Political Commissar of ShenyangMilitary Zone headed a military delegation to visit Cameroon. In September 1979, led by Sadou Daoudou, Minister of State Affairs and of Armed Forces, a Cameroonmilitary delegation visited China. In November 1989, a Cameroonmilitary delegation headed by Major general Pierre Semengue visited China.

From November 28 to December 6, 2000, Atangana Mebara Jean-Marie, Minister of Cameroonhigher education visited China.

In September 2002, Joseph Owona, Minister of the Cameroon National Education visited China.

(From the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China)