Hadhramout University is making final preparations for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Yemeni–Chinese relations, which will take place from 24 to 26 September.

During a meeting held today and chaired by the University President, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Khanbash, participants reviewed the level of readiness for the celebration and assessed the work completed by the various committees. Discussions included the approval of scientific papers, preparations for the accompanying art exhibition, and the production of a documentary film highlighting the historical development of relations between the two countries.

The celebration program will feature several keynote speeches, as well as scientific papers examining the depth of Yemeni–Chinese relations and their historical roots. The accompanying exhibition will showcase aspects of life in Yemen and China, while the documentary film will highlight the support provided by the People’s Republic of China to the Yemeni people across various fields. The events are scheduled to be broadcast live through links that will be announced later.

The official beginnings of relations between the two countries date back to the Bandung Conference in Indonesia in 1955, which paved the way for expanding relations between China and Arab countries. Yemen established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China on 24 September 1956, becoming one of the first Arab countries to do so.

The roots of interaction between the two peoples, however, go back much further. The Chinese Muslim navigator Zheng He arrived at the Port of Aden in 1416 as part of the trade and diplomatic exchanges between China and Yemen.

In the decades following the establishment of official diplomatic relations, cooperation expanded to include economic, social, and cultural fields. China also supported Yemen’s republican revolution and provided medical and development assistance to the country.