China urges Gulf nations to seal free trade agreement
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing has interests in deepening cooperation in economy, trade, investment and other fields with the Gulf Cooperation Council as well.
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BEIJING – China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has pressed the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to conclude long-running talks on a free trade agreement with China, attributing the urgency to rising protectionism and unilateralism as free trade comes “under attack”, according to a Dec 15 statement from his ministry.
Mr Wang is on a three-nation Middle East tour that began in the United Arab Emirates and is expected to end in Jordan.
He met GCC secretary-general Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi in Riyadh on Dec 14 and separately saw top Saudi officials.
“The talks have lasted for more than 20 years, and conditions for all aspects are basically mature; it is time to make a final decision,” he said during a meeting with Mr Albudaiwi, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
A successful free trade agreement will send a “strong signal to the world about defending multilateralism”, Mr Wang said, adding that China was supportive of the bloc strengthening its strategic autonomy and coordination as well as advancing its integration process.
China has interests in deepening cooperation in economy, trade, investment and other fields with the GCC as well, he said.
China and Saudi Arabia agreed to closer communication and coordination on regional and international issues, with Beijing lauding Riyadh’s role in Middle East diplomacy and security, according to other statements following a meeting between the nations’ foreign ministers.
Mr Wang’s meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, also took place on Dec 14 in the Saudi capital.
A joint statement published by China’s official news agency Xinhua did not elaborate on the issues in which the two countries would strengthen coordination but mentioned China’s support for Saudi Arabia and Iran enhancing their relations, as well as support from both sides for the “comprehensive and just settlement” of the Palestinian issue.
“(China) appreciates Saudi Arabia’s leading role and efforts to achieve regional and international security and stability,” said the statement released on Dec 15.
Mr Wang told his Saudi counterpart that China regarded Saudi Arabia as a “priority for Middle East diplomacy” and an important partner in global diplomacy, the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement on Dec 15 said.
He also encouraged greater cooperation in energy and investment, as well as in new energy and green transformation.
In a separate meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Mr Wang underscored China’s readiness to play a part as the “most reliable partner” in the Middle Eastern country’s revitalisation and to “inject more stabilising factors” to realise peace and security in the region, another ministry statement said.
The countries have agreed to mutually exempt diplomatic and special passport holders from visa requirements, according to the joint statement. REUTERS
