On October 6, 1949, China and Korea established diplomatic relations, so Korea became one of the first groups of countries having diplomatic relations with new China. In June 1950, the Korean War broke out. When the Chinese people were confronted with the menace of this war after the US army crossed the 38th parallel and flames of the war sread to the bank of the Yalu River, the Sino-Korea border, China sent its volunteer army at the request of the Korean side to Korea to join the war. After the armistice, China actively assisted Korea in its post-war economic restoration and reconstruction. In November, 1953, the two countries signed the agreement on economic and cultural cooperation. On July 11, 1961, they signed the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between China and Korea.

I. Political Relations and Exchanges of High-level Visits

China and Korea have always maintained their traditional friendship and cooperation, and their party and state leaders frequent contacts. Korean leader Kim Il Sung visited China dozens of times while Chinese leaders Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping also visited Korea many a time. Since 1990, General Secretary Jiang Zemin, Premier Li Peng, President Yang Shangkun, the Chinese Party and Government Delegation headed by Standing Committee Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China cum Secretary of its Secretariat Hu Jintao and State Councilor cum Defence Minister Chi Haotian, Chinese Goodwill Delegation led by State Councilor cum Secretary-General of the State Council Luo Gan and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan have visited Korea respectively. President Kim Il Sung, Premier Yon Hyung Muk, Vice-President Li Jong Ok, Political Bureau Member of the WPK Central Committee cum Chief of General Staff Choe Gwang, Vice-Premiers Hong Song Nam, Kim Yoon Hyuk, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong Nam, Vice-President Yang Hyung Sup,and Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun have visited China one after another. General Secretary Kim Jong Il paid two successive visits to China.

In June 1999, leading a Korean National delegation, Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, paid an official goodwill visit to China. In the same year, both sides jointly celebrated the 5oth anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Korean diplomatic relations, and at the invitation of Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan paid a goodwill visit to Korea and attended the Korean celebrations. On March 5, 2000, General Secretary of the Korean WP visited the Chinese embassy in Korea. From 29 to 31 May, at the invitation of General Secretary Jiang Zemin, General Secretary Kim Jong Il paid an unofficial visit to China. On October 9, at the invitation of the Korean side, President Jiang Zemin attended the dinner party hosted by Korean embassy in China to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the WPK. On October 25, a mass meeting of 180,000 people was held in Pyongyang, auspiciously marking the 50th anniversary of the Chinese Volunteers joining the Korean army in resisting the US aggressors, and Present were General Secretary Kim Jong Il and other major Korean party, government and military leaders. Heading a high-ranking Chinese military delegation, Vice-Chairman of the central Military Commission, State Councilor cum Defence Minister Chi Haotian paid an official goodwill visit to Korea and Participated in the celebrations hosted by the Korean side.

Between 15 and 20 January 2001, at the invitation of General Secretary Jiang Zemin, general Secretary Kim Jong Il paid another Unofficial visit to China. General Secretary Jiang held talks with General Secretary Kim in Beijing, exchanged views on further development of the party and state relations between the two countries as well as major international issues of common concern and reached broad consensus. They agreed that both sides would work harder to further consolidate, develop and strengthen the Sino-Korean traditional friendship and push their friendly relations to a new high. General Secretary Kim Jong Il invited General Secretary Jiang Zemin to Korea at his convenience, and the latter accepted the invitation of the former with pleasure. Before their meeting, General Secretary Kim Jong Il and his entourage paid a 4-day visit to Shanghai. Premier Zhu Rongji met him and accompanied the Korean guest to visit the exhibition hall where Shanghai municipal planning was on display. Party Secretary of Shanghai Municipal Committee Huang Ju accompanied him to visit Pudong Development Zone, Shanghai Stock Exchange, Zhangjiang High-Tech Science Park and Sunqiao Modern Farming Development Zone.

From 3 to 5 September 2001, at the invitation of General Secretary of the WPK, cum Chairman of the National Defence Commission Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the CCP cum President of China Jiang Zemin paid an official goodwill visit to Korea. It is both a return visit in response to the two visits China by General Secretary Kim Jong Il respectively in May 2000 and January 2001 and the first visit to Korea in the past 11 years by the top Chinese leader. This visit indicates the restoration of exchanges of high-level visits between China and Korea and brings about the new phase of friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries. Attaching great importance to the visit, the Korean side accorded to it auspicious, warm and friendly reception. During his visit, General Secretary Jiang Zemin held talks with General Secretary Kim Jong Il, and met President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong Nam and Premier of the Cabinet Hong Song Nam. During their talks and meetings, each side briefed the other side on its political and economic situation, exchanged views on further consolidation and development of friendly relations and cooperation between the two parties and two countries as well as major regional and international issues of mutual concern and reached broad consensus. Both sides agreed that in the spirit of "Carry on the Traditions, Look Forward to the Future, Develop Neighborliness and Friendship and strengthen Cooperation" they should work together to push Sino-Korean friendly relations and cooperation to a new high. The two leaders exchanged in-depth views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. General Secretary also invited General Secretary Kim Jong Il to visit China again, and the latter accepted the former's invitation with pleasure. Accompanied by General Secretary Kim Jong Il, General Secretary Jiang watched a gala performance and a large-scale group callisthenic show. China provided Korea with 200,000 tons of grain and 30,000 tons of diesel as free aid to help the Korean people tide over their difficulties. The Korean side appreciated this gesture.

Between 9 and 13, September 2001, the Chinese Goodwill Delegation, headed by Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee the CPC cum Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Jiang Chunyun, visited Korea and attended the 40th anniversary of signing the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and mutual Assistance between China and Korea. General Secretary Kim Jong Il met the delegation.

Between 6 and 10 May 2002, leading the Chinese Communist Party Delegation, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the CPC cum Party Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee Jia Qinglin visited Korea, and General Secretary Kim Jong Il met him and hosted two dinners in his honor. Kim spoke highly of the growing relations between the two parties and two countries, and hoped that their friendly relations and cooperation would be further strengthened and developed. Jia said that continuous promotion of Sino-Korean neighborliness, friendship and cooperation would be in the interests of not only the people of the two countries, but peace and stability of this region and world at large. China would like to work together with Korea to further expand their friendly relations and cooperation.

Between 15 and 19 October 2002, Vice-President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly Yang Hyung Sup paid an official goodwill visit to China as head of the Korean national delegation. Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Li Peng and Vice-President Hu Jintao met him respectively, and Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Jiang Chunyun hosted a welcome dinner in his honor. Li Peng made it clear that China attached great importance to developing neighborliness and friendship with its neighbors and working hard for peace and stability in this region. He also said that China would go on supporting North and South Korea in improving their relations and realizing independent peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula. Hu Jintao emphasized that it was the set policy of both the Chinese Communist Party and Government to consolidate and develop Sino-Korean traditional friendship and cooperation, and that China would work together with Korea to further finalize the important consensus reached between General Secretary Jiang and General Secretary Kim, strengthen and deepen contacts and cooperation in various departments and fields between the two parties and two countries, and promote continuous development of Sino-Korean friendship and cooperation. Yang Hyung Sup said that both the Korean Workers Party and Government attached great importance to Korean –Chinese friendship, and always took Korean-Chinese relations as the top priority for Korea's diplomatic work. He also pointed out that Korea paid a great tribute to the internal and external policies pursued by the Chinese Communist Party and Government and supported the Chinese Government in achieving the reunification of its motherland in accordance with the policy "One Country, Two Systems".

II. Economic Relations

Over the years, China has always been Korea's main trading partner. In 2002, Sino-Korean trade volume reached US$ 0.739 billion, of which China's exports to Korea amounted to US$ 0.468 billion and its imports from Korea US$ 0.271 billion; up –0.2%, -018.4% and 62.4% from the previous year respectively. China's major products to Korea are crude oil, machinery and electronic products as well as consumer goods and its main products from Korea are steel, timber, mineral products and aquatic products.

Since 1994, in order to help Korea tide over its difficulties caused by natural disasters and other factors, China has been providing Korea with grain, coke, crude oil and fertilizer as free aid.

III. Bilateral Relations in other Areas

China and Korea have always maintained close contacts and cooperation in the military, cultural, educational, scientific, technological and sport fields. Both sides have signed many such treaties and agreements as the treaty on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance, trade and navigation agreement, air transport agreement and consular agreement. They sign exchange programmes annually in the fields of education, science, technology and sport. China has opened its consulate-general in Chongjin and Korea its consulates-general in Shenyang and Hong Kong Special Administrative Zone respectively. Friendly municipal and provincial relations have been established between China's Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu and Shanghai and Korea's North Pyong'an Province, North Hamgyong Province, Kangwon Province and Hamheung.

IV. Important Bilateral Agreements

1. Sino-Korean Agreement on Economic and Cultural Cooperation (signed on Nov. 23, 1953, and became effective on Dec. 9, 1953)

2. Sino-Korean Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance (signed on July 11, 1961, and became effective on Sept 10, 1986)

3. Sino-Korean Consular Treaty (signed on Nov. 26, 1985, and became effective on July 3, 1986)

Timetable for Important Exchange of Visits between Chinese and Korean Leaders

1. Following are the Korean leaders who have visited China

Name Status Nature of Visit Duration of visit

Kim Il Sung Prime Minister Official Visit Nov. 10 to 27, 1953

Kim Il Sung Ditto Goodwill Visit Sept. 28 to Oct. 1954

Kim Il Sung Ditto Ditto Nov.21 to 28, 1958

Kim Il Sung Ditto Ditto Sept. 25 to Oct. 3, 1959

Kim Il Sung Ditto Ditto July 10 to 15, 1961

Choi Yong Kun President Official Visit Sept. 30 to Oct. 3, 1969

Heo Dam Foreign Minister official Visit Feb. 9 to 14, 1973

Kim Il Sung President of Korea Goodwill Visit Apr. 18 to 26, 1975

Li Jong Ok Premier Official Visit Jan. 10 to 14, 1981

Kim Il Sung President of Korea State Visit Sept. 16 to 25, 1982

Kim Jong Il Secretary Unofficial Visit Jun 2 to 12, 1983

Kim Yong Nam Vice-Premier cum foreign Minister

Official Visit Feb, 7 to 14, 1984

Kang Song San Premier Official Visit Aug, 5 to 10, 1984

Kim Il Sung President of Korea Unofficial Visit Nov. 26 to 28, 1984

Kim Il Sung Ditto Official Goodwill Visit May 21 to 25, 1987

Li Kun Mo Premier Ditto Nov. 9 to 11, 1987

Kim Yong Nam Vice-Premier cum Foreign Minister

Official Visit Nov, 3 to 7, 1988

Kim Il Sung General Secretary Unofficial Visit Nov, 5 to 7, 1989

Yon Hyung Muk Premier Official Visit Nov. 23 to 28, 1990

Kim Il Sung President of Korea

Official Goodwill Visit Oct. 4 to 13, 1991

Kim Yong Nam President Official Goodwill Visit June 3 to 7, 1999

Paek Nam Sun Foreign Minister Ditto Mar, 18 to 22, 2000

Kim Jong Il General Secretary Unofficial Visit May 29 to 31, 2000

Kim Jong Il Ditto Ditto Jan, 15 to 20, 2001

Kim Yoon Hyuk Secretary-General Goodwill Visit July 10 to 14, 2001

Yang Hyung Sup Vice-President Official Visit Oct, 15 to 19, 2002

2. Following are the Chinese leaders who have visited Korea

Name Status Nature of Visit Duration of Visit

Zhou Enlai Premier Goodwill Visit Feb, 14 to 21, 1958

Liu Shaoqi President Ditto Sept, 15 to 27, 1963

Zhou Enlai Premier Official Goodwill Visit Apr, 5 to 7, 1970

Ji Pengfei Foreign Minister Goodwill Visit Dec. 22 to 25, 1972

Hua Guofeng Party President cum Premier

Official Goodwill Visit May 5 to 10, 1978

Deng Xiaoping Vice-Chairman of the Party cum Vice-Premier

Goodwill visit Sept, 8 to 13, 1978

Zhao Ziyang Premier Official Visit Dec, 20 to 14, 1981

Hu Yaobang Party Chairman

Deng Xiaoping Vice-Chairman of the Party

Unofficial Visit Apr, 26 to 30, 1982

Wu Xueqian Foreign Minister Official Visit May 20 to 25, 1983

Hu Yaobang General Secretary Official Goodwill Visit May4 to 11, 1984

Hu Yaobang Ditto Unofficial Visit May 4 to 6, 1985

Li Xiannian President Goodwill Visit Oct,. 3 to 6, 1986

Yang Shangkun Ditto Ditto Sept, 7 to 11, 1988

Zhao Ziyang General Secretary

Official Goodwill Visit Apr. 24 to 29 1989

Jiang Zemin Ditto Ditto Mar, 14 to 16, 1990

Li Peng Premier Ditto May, 3 to 6, 1991

Qian Qichen State Councilor cum Foreign Minister

Ditto June 17 to 20, 1991

Yang Shangkun President Ditto Apr, 12 to 17, 1992

Hu Jintao Member of the Standing Committee of the PB of CC

Of CPC cum Secretary of the Secretary Party Delegation

July 26 to 29, 1993

Luo Gan State Councilor cum Secretary-General of the State Council

Party Delegation July 10 to 13, 1996

Tang Jiaxuan Foreign Minister Goodwill Visit Oct, 5 to 9, 1999

Chi Haotian Vice-Chairman of Central Military Commission,

State Councilor cum Defence Minister

Military Delegation Oct, 22 to 26, 2000

Jiang Chunyun Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC

Goodwill Delegation July 9 to 13, 2001

Jiang Zemin General Secretary and President of China

Official Goodwill Visit Sept. 3 to 5, 2001

Ja Qinglin Member of the PB of CC of the CPC

Secretary of Beijing Party Committee Chinese Communist

Party Delegation May 6 to 10, 2002