Libya

Note: This column mainly includes countries along the Belt and Road and countries that have signed cooperation agreements with China on Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2013, the relations between the People's Republic of China and the State of Libya developed steadily and their exchanges and cooperation in various fields gradually recovered.

Political exchanges increased between the two countries. In March, Mohammed Yousuf Magarief, President of the Libyan General National Congress, sent a congratulatory letter to President Xi Jinping on his assumption of office. Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zidan sent a congratulatory letter to Premier Li Keqiang on his assumption of office. Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mohammed Abul-Aziz sent a congratulatory letter to Foreign Minister Wang Yi on his assumption of office. In June, NPC Chairman Zhang Dejiang sent a congratulatory message to the new President of the General National Congress Nouri Abusahmin on his assumption of office. In August, Libyan Minister of Health Nureddin Dughman attended the Ministerial Forum of China-Africa Health Development in China. In September, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mohammed Abul-Aziz attended the third round of political consultations between Chinese and African foreign ministers on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Progress was made in bilateral cooperation in economy and trade. With increased export to Libya, China became an important trading partner and one of the major sources of imports for Libya. In May, China and Libya signed a memorandum of understanding on Chinese enterprises returning to Libya and the resumption of projects suspended by the war. In September, the two countries signed the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation Between the People's Republic of China and the State of Libya.

Cooperation in culture and education gradually resumed. The two ministries of culture continued the negotiations for signing a new bilateral cultural cooperation agreement. China continued to provide scholarships for Libya.