Agreement to establish a political consultation and cooperation mechanism between the Andean Community and the People’s Republic of China

The Andean Community Countries, the Republic of Bolivia, the Republic of Colombia, the Republic of Ecuador, the Republic of Peru, and the Republic of Venezuela, on the one hand, and the People’s Republic of China, on the other (hereinafter called "the Parties");

REAFFIRMING their respect for the provisions of international law and the parties’ adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter;

CONSIDERING the importance of strengthening the traditional friendship between the Andean Countries and the People’s Republic of China;

RECOGNIZING the desirability of further developing and diversifying the relations between the two parties;

CONVINCED that it is important to give a boost to bilateral cooperation in fields of mutual interest, particularly political consultation, trade, and economic, scientific-technological, and cultural exchanges;

AGREE:

First Article

The Parties have decided to formally establish a Political Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism for the purpose of developing, strengthening, and diversifying their friendship, understanding, and cooperation and the trade, investment, and cultural ties between them.

Second Article

The aims of the Political Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism between the Parties shall be the following, among others:

  1. To encourage consultations regarding the regional and international situations, bilateral relations, and subjects of mutual interest to the Parties.

  2. To intensify dialogue and cooperation in multilateral fields, particularly on topics of common interest to the Parties.

  3. To promote cooperation, trade, and business and technological exchanges.

  4. To facilitate access to their respective markets.

  5. To contribute to the Andean Community’s positioning within the Pacific Basin.

  6. To promote cultural exchanges.

Third Article

The Parties shall make an effort to promote the following activities, among others, in order to accomplish the above-cited aims:

1. Periodic review of relations between the Parties, as well as of matters of interest to both.

2. Strengthening of reciprocal support and cooperation in the international area and holding of well-timed and expeditious consultations, when appropriate, on matters of mutual interest to the Parties.

3. Provision of mutual assistance for organizing and/or participating in conferences, seminars, trade and industrial missions, general, sectoral, and subcontracting fairs, and exploration missions, among others.

4. Offering of facilities and support for holding business seminars or forums in order to encourage exchanges and cooperation among the Parties’ enterprises.

5. Fostering of the exchange of trade, investment, and market information between the Parties and information on related laws and regulations.

6. Boosting of the exchange of personnel in specialized fields, including the dispatch of experts, scientists, and technicians, and the conduct of specific studies.

7. Furnishing of facilities and assistance for promoting cultural and artistic exchanges between the Parties.

These activities shall be carried out by common agreement between the Parties’ responsible departments.

Fourth Article

The Andean Council of Foreign Ministers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China shall coordinate the Political Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism, which shall meet at the Vice-Foreign Minister level at least once every two years. The meetings shall be held in an Andean Community Member Country and China alternately, on the dates and with the agendas set by diplomatic agreement.

The Parties shall consider holding meetings at the highest level, as appropriate, or at other levels when they deem it necessary.

Fifth Article

The Party availing itself of an exchange under this Agreement shall, in principle, be responsible for covering international travel, transportation, and living expenses in the host country.

Sixth Article

This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of its signature and shall have an indefinite duration.

Either of the Parties may terminate this Agreement by sending the other Party a written notification of its intention six months in advance. That termination shall become effective six months after the date of notification.

Done in Beijing on March 30, 2000 in two original and equally authentic copies, in Spanish and English.

For the Andean Community
(Signed)
Fernando de Trazegnies
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Peru and
Chairman of the Andean Council of Foreign Ministers

For the Government of the
People’s Republic of China
(signed)
Tang Jiaxuan
Minister of Foreign Affairs