Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and president Xi Jinping both agreed to establish a strategic partnership between Kuwait and China to accelerate the development of bilateral ties and explore new economic prospects.
Al Sabah, 89, visited China from July 7 to 10 on a state visit. It was his seventh visit to the country. He was here in 1977, 1988, in August and December 1990, in 2004 and 2009.
Since Kuwait became independent in 1961, Al Sabah has served as minister of press and publications, a foreign minister, deputy prime minister, first deputy prime minister and prime minister. Al-Sabah was sworn in as the 15th Emir of Kuwait on Jan. 29, 2016.
Al-Sabah said Kuwait cherishes its traditional friendship and close cooperation with China. He praised China's upholding of fairness and justice in international affairs, saying Kuwait sees China as a trustworthy friend and partner.
He said Kuwait is willing to construct the Belt and Road with China to promote peace and stability in the Gulf and the world.
Xi called China and Kuwait "tried and true friends." He noted that both countries have always treated each other equally and with sincerity since they established diplomatic relations 47 years ago. He called on China and Kuwait to deepen mutual political trust and firmly support each other's core interests.
Xi said China views Kuwait as a key partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, noting that Kuwait was among the first countries to sign an agreement on the Belt and Road Initiative.
Kuwait has also played a role in maintaining regional peace and stability in the Gulf, said Xi. China will always support Kuwait in choosing a development path suitable for its national conditions.
Xi encouraged both countries to better align their development strategies; expand cooperation in finance, trade, energy, infrastructural construction, and investment; intensify people-to-people exchanges and reinforce security and anti-terrorism cooperation.
China also stands ready to enhance communication and coordination with Kuwait to forge ahead relations between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in a steady way, said Xi.
