Tunisia |
China |
---|---|
Diplomatic mission | |
Embassy of Tunisia, Beijing | Embassy Of China, Tunis |
China–Tunisia relations are foreign relations between China and Tunisia. The People's Republic of China (PRC) established diplomatic relationship with Tunisia on January 10, 1964,[1]: 346 8 years after Tunisia got its independence.[2]
Tunisia, previously a French protectorate, attained official independence on March 20, 1956;[3] before this, Zhou Enlai, then-Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China, articulated his endorsement of the Tunisian quest for self-determination and independence at the Bandung Conference in 1955. Following Tunisia's establishment, Zhou Enlai contacted the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tunisia on April 4 of that year, extending heartfelt congratulations on Tunisia's independence; later, the Tunisian government extended an invitation for Zhou Enlai to visit the region. Habib Bourguiba and Zhou engaged in discussions, during which divergent viewpoints emerged.[4] Bourguiba articulated his skepticism and apprehension regarding Zhou Enlai's assertions at the banquet honoring him. Zhou Enlai recognized that the two nations would not consistently concur but expressed a desire for Tunisia to maintain interactions and exchanges with the People's Republic of China to enhance mutual understanding.[5]
The People's Republic of China and Tunisia formalized diplomatic ties in January 1964; nevertheless, these contacts were somewhat restrained owing to the Tunisian government's alignment with the United States.[6] In late 1964 and the early part of 1965, Tunisian authorities endorsed the concept of "two Chinas" and denounced Mao Zedong, alleged that China did not genuinely endorse peaceful coexistence among nations. Furthermore, subsequent to the Cultural Revolution, certain personnel at the PRC embassy in Tunisia employed aggressive publicity strategies, which antagonized the Tunisian authorities and prompted anti-Chinese remarks from senior government officials. Consequently, the PRC shuttered its embassy in Tunisia in 1967.[7] In 1967, disagreements between the Tunisian government and the Chinese embassy resulted in the suspension of relations.[1]: 346 Bilateral relations resumed in 1971.[1]: 346
During the 1970s, several nations started to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, coinciding with a shift in Tunisia's political viewpoints. With the assistance of Mauritania, bilateral relations between the People's Republic of China and Tunisia were ultimately normalized, leading to the reopening of the Chinese embassy in Tunisia.[8] Tunisia proposed that the People's Republic of China be represented in the United Nations under the designation "China," while the Republic of China maintains its representation under the name "Taiwan."[9] Tunisia subsequently endorsed UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, which advocated for the People's Republic of China to replace the Republic of China in the United Nations.[10]
Tunisia has adhered to the One-China policy and, like a majority of countries, recognizes the PRC as the sole legitimate government of "China" and Taiwan and all other islands controlled by the Republic of China (ROC) are recognized by Tunisia as part of PRC's territory as Tunisia does not recognize the ROC as legitimate.[11]
In April 2002, Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin had visited Tunisia, and signed a series of economic, technical and financial support along with cultural cooperation agreements.[12][13]
On February 16, 2017, Tunisia unilaterally permitted Chinese residents with regular passports to enter Tunisia without a visa for 90 days.[14][15] On May 31, 2024, the two countries announced the establishment of the China-Tunisia Strategic Partnership during the state visit by Kais Saied to China.[16][17]
The People's Republic of China has assisted Tunisia in the development of projects including water conservation infrastructure, solar lighting initiatives, shrimp aquaculture centers, and cultural endeavors. The PRC has dispatched medical teams to Tunisia, who have visited local construction sites to offer volunteer medical care and therapies, including massage and acupressure, to Chinese workers and Tunisian natives at these locations.[18][19]
From 2000 to 2011, there are approximately 15 Chinese official development finance projects identified in Tunisia through various media reports.[20] These projects range from $4.6 million worth of in-kind humanitarian assistance to Tunisia in 2011,[21] to a technical and economic co-operation agreement in 2011,[22] and an in-kind grant of RMB30 million to construct two dams in the Tataouine Governorate in South Tunisia.[23]
China has an extradition treaty with Tunisia.[1]: 188
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