Review of Bilateral Political Relations
On September 11,1991 Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Tian Zengpei and Estonian Vice-Foreign Minister Limitz signed in Tallin the "Communiqu� on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Estonia". Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, ties between the two countries developed steadily.
Political Ties and Important Exchanges
From January 12-19 Estonian Speaker Toomas Savi led a delegation for an official and friendly visit to China at the invitation of the Standing delegation was met by NPC Standing Committee Chairman Qiao Shi, Vice-Premier Li Lanqing, NPC Standing Committee Vice-Chairman Timur Dawamat, and Vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Deguang on separate occasions. The delegation visited Hainan and Xiamen.
Bilateral Trade Relations and Economic and Technical Cooperation
Sino-Estonian trade and economic relations have been developing smoothly and their trade and economic cooperation is based on solid legal foundation. The two governments have signed an inter-government agreement on trade, and agreement on protection of investment and an agreement on the prvention of double taxation. The Joint Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation is functioning well and three meetings have been held so far.
Bilateral Exchanges and cooperation in culture, science and technology and education
On August 10,1998 the Chief Editor of Estonia "Courrier" wrote to the Chinese Embassy in Estonia informing that it has decided to assign a resident correspondent in Beijing to report on China and Asia.
Consular Relations
On December 11,1998 the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Estonian Embassy in China exchanged instruments in Beijing concerning agreement of the Government of the People's Republic of China on the setting up of an honorary Consulate in Hong Kong by the Government of the Republic of Estonia.
Military Exchanges
From June 29 to July 6,1998 the Estonian Defence Minister Oovel visited China at the invitation of Chi Haotian, Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission, State Councillor and Minister of Defence. Vice-Chairman Chi Haotian held talks with Oovel and the delegation was met by State Vice-President Hu Jintao. It also visited Shanghai and Hangzhou.
Important Bilateral Agreements
"Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Estonia". On September 11,1991 Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Tian Zengpei and Estonian Deputy Foreign Minister Limitz signed the above communique in the Estonian Capital Tallin.
New Developments in the Bilateral and Multilateral Relations in 2000
September 7-9, at the invitation of the Estonian Government and Parliament, the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People�s Congress (NPC) Li Peng paid an official goodwill visit to Estonia. This was Chairman Li Peng�s first visit to Estonia and also the first visit by China at the highest level in the past nine years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Sources from: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs