Backgrounder: Highlights in Relations Between China, the Republic of Congo

Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit the Republic of Congo at the invitation of his Congolese counterpart Denis Sassou Nguesso.

The following is a brief introduction to the bilateral relations, which have developed smoothly and steadily since the two countries established diplomatic relations on Feb. 22, 1964.

Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso has travelled to China for 12 times, including four official visits.

In 2006, then Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited the Republic of Congo.

According to statistics from Chinese customs authorities, bilateral trade jumped to 5.08 billion U.S. dollars in 2012 from 290 million dollars in 2002, and China has become the Republic of Congo's largest trading partner.

China's exports to the Republic of Congo are mainly mechanical and electric equipment, textiles and new tech products, while imports from the African nation are mainly timber and crude oil.

China provided aid to the Republic of Congo after a weapons depot exploded in Brazzaville last March and the Republic of Congo donated 1 million U.S. dollars to China after a devastating earthquake in Sichuan province in 2008.

To further bilateral cultural and educational exchanges, China has opened a Confucius Institute at the Marien Ngouabi University in the African country.

Beijing has been offering college scholarships to Congolese students every year since 1975, and it has also sent 671 person-times of medical professionals to the African nation since 1967.