III. Cultural and Military Exchanges and Cooperation

(1) Cultural Cooperation

Before the establishment of diplomatic ties, cultural exchanges already existed between the two countries. These exchanges have become more frequent since the establishment of diplomatic ties. The year 1978 saw the signing of a governmental cultural agreement.

On July 21-24, 1998, Vice-Cultural Minister Ai Qingchun visited Suriname at the head of a Chinese Government Cultural Delegation. It was the first Chinese governmental cultural delegation to visit Suriname after the establishment of diplomatic relations. President Wijdenbosch, Speaker of the National Assembly Djwaslapersad, Foreign Minister Pieekhan and National Adviser Bouterse met with the delegation respectively. Ai also held talks with his counterpart.

On April 4-10, 2002, at the invitation of the Ministry of Culture, Surinamese Minister of Education and People's Development Sandriman visited China. Vice-Chairman Behe of NPC Standing Committee and Minister of Education Chen Zhili met with the delegation respectively. Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng held working talks with Sandriman.

China once sent acrobatic troupes, art troupes, and song and dance troupes to Suriname to visit and perform. Exhibitions of Chinese paintings, photos and handcrafts were also put on show.

(2) Military Exchanges

Surinamese Defense Ministers Gilds, Panday and Assen visited China respectively in March 1996, March 1999 and April 2001.

In June 1998, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the PLA Lt. General Kui Fulin visited Suriname.

In July 2002, Vice-President of the Defense University Major General Chen Zhangyuan visited Surinam at the head of an inspection team of the PLA. During his visit, Chen met with Surinamese Minister of Defense and Commander of the National Defense Forces.

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