China, Kuwait pledge to bring relations to higher level

Click for more news in China Today>>

Vice Premier Li Keqiang is continuing his first overseas trip since taking office in March. He met with the Emir of Kuwait and the two agreed to promote pragmatic cooperation in various fields.

EmirofKuwaitSheikhSabahal-Ahmadal-Jaberal-Sabah
(R,front)meetswithvisitingChineseVicePremier
LiKeqiang(L,front)inKuwaitCity,capitalofKuwait,
Dec.28,2008.(Xinhua/RaoAimin)

China and Kuwait pledged to step up relations to a higher level.

Vice Premier Li Keqiang called for increasing high-level exchanges based on equality and mutual benefit.

He said China highly values its ties with Kuwait, and China is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council, which plays an important role in the region.

A dialogue mechanism with the Council will be launched next year, and negotiations on setting up a free trade area have entered a critical phase. Li Keqiang expressed hope that Kuwait will continue playing a significant role in boosting China's relationship with the council.

Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, said growing cooperation in economics and trade would continue to push forward two way ties. Emir al-Sabah thanked China for its efforts to work for Middle East peace. He said Kuwait will work with the Chinese government to safeguard regional peace and stability.

Last year, two way trade volume between China and Kuwait reached 3.6 billion US dollars, a thirty percent jump over the previous year.

Kuwait is the final leg of Li Keqiang's 11-day overseas visit, which has already taken him to Indonesia and Egypt.