Qatar's Ambassador Says Relations with China "Strategic"
Beijing / Information Office / May 07
HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to China Sultan bin Salmeen Al Mansouri has described relations between Qatar and China as strategic, excellent, and currently at their best and witnessing steady development in various fields.
Speaking exclusively to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE the ambassador noted in this regard to the successful visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to China in 2014, which witnessed the establishment of the strategic relationship between Doha and Beijing.
HE Ambassador Al Mansouri pointed out that the historic visit of HH the Amir to China, which promoted the relations of the two friendly countries to a strategic partnership, resulted in several agreements in the fields of investment, sports, culture, and others in addition to the continuation of coordination between the two leaderships on all issues of common interest.
He said that Qatar was one of the first countries to support the "Belt and Road" initiative launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, adding that during the visit of HH the Amir to China in 2014, a cooperation agreement was signed in this regard, while the two countries started the establishment of the implementation mechanisms of the initiative, including the fields of investment and infrastructure, stressing that Qatar supports all mechanisms for the implementation of this initiative.
HE the ambassador stressed that the relations between Doha and Beijing are constantly developing in various fields, thus enhancing the trust between the two countries, especially as they are important to each other and play an important role on the international and regional arenas.
The ministries of the interior in the two countries signed last year a security agreement related to direct security coordination between them in the areas of combating terrorism, organized crime and cybercrime, noting that Qatar is the first country to sign such agreement with China, HE the Ambassador said.
HE Al Mansouri further added that Qatar opened last year a tourism representative office in China and exempted Chinese nationals from visas to facilitate tourist visits to Qatar. He said that the two countries agreed to sign an agreement to exempt the citizens of both countries from the visa at the mutual visits, noting that it is expected to finalize related procedural matters in July.
HE Sultan bin Salmeen Al Mansouri said that China imports 40 percent of its total needs of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar, which is another factor that distinguishes the strength of economic ties between Qatar and China. He added that Qatar is the first supplier of gas to China, and it is from the utmost importance of this type of energy in development, involved in the development of China, which needs clean energy for its development projects.
HE the ambassador also said that the two countries' efforts are continuing to enhance cooperation and bilateral economic and trade exchanges, noting that the volume of trade exchange between Doha and Beijing last year reached $ 8 billion.
On China's stance regarding the Gulf crisis, HE Ambassador Al Mansouri said China's stance is clear and neutral, where its policy is not to interfere in the affairs of other countries, in addition to the need to resolve disputes through dialogue and peaceful ways .
He said that communication with the Chinese side was ongoing since the start of the crisis and it was briefed on the event and the reasons of the crisis, due to the partnership and friendly relations between the two countries.
HE the ambassador added that China understands the situation, however calls on all parties to resolve the issue through dialogue, and to not interfere in the affairs of others. His Excellency added that China is against the principle of the siege that harming people .
His Excellency added that China's stance is neutral and understandable, however it is positive towards Qatar noting that China has relations with all parties of the siege.
HE the ambassador said this year marks 30 years since the establishment of the relations between the State of Qatar and the People's Republic of China. His Excellency expressed his hope for it to be a year of prosperity for both sides , and that the long-standing and deep-rooted relations of friendship between the two countries to open wider horizons in various fields.
HE said the relations between Qatar and China are excellent and distinctive, where the coordination is continuous and is at its best.
HE the ambassador said the achievements are many and the aspirations are big to meet the desires of both countries and peoples to consolidate and strengthen relations towards further achievements and meet common visions and aspirations.
The two countries will hold many mutual events to celebrate 30 anniversary of the establishment of the relations in 1988. On this occasion, the two countries will reaffirm their shared strong trust to promote their efforts and deepen the coordination between them in various bilateral fields and the regional and international stances to achieve mutual benefit.
The Qatari press delegation is now visiting China and currently in Shanghai, have visited on Sunday and Monday many monuments, institutions, trade, financial, industry and cultural centers. The delegation also saw the scientific and technical developments in the city and in China in general. The delegations also visited the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Shanghai Free-Trade Zone and Port of Tangshan, which is the biggest in the world in terms of size and import and export. The port was inaugurated after 15 years since the start of its construction.