Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday in Neom, Saudi Arabia. According to a press release from the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang said that both countries must deepen bilateral cooperation through the China-Saudi Arabia High-Level Joint Committee, in “traditional areas” such as “trade, investment and infrastructure” and as well as in “emerging fields” such as “high and new technology industry including renewable energy, 5G, artificial intelligence, big data, and aerospace technologies”.
Wang also called for the allies to strengthen cooperation in “countering terrorism and eliminating extremism,” and said that Beijing was commited to work in coordination with Riyadh to speed up negotiations of the free trade deal between China and Gulf nations. Both leaders further decided to make preparations for the upcoming China-Arab Summit, and “build a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era”.
On the same day, the Chinese FM also had a meeting with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, in which he expressed China’s willingness to deepen the cooperation between Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Riyadh’s Vision 2030, which aims to reduce the country’s dependence on oil and diversify its economy by developing public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism. In response, the Saudi diplomat said that Riyadh was keen to “increase high-level exchanges, enhance strategic communication, and convene the meeting of the China-Saudi Arabia High-Level Joint Committee as soon as possible” in order to expand bilateral cooperation.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Also on Wednesday, Wang met with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf in Riyadh. Wang acknowledged the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the GCC and the relations between China and the Council. Wang took the opportunity to express hope that free trade talks between the two sides will conclude at an earlier date, which will aid GCC members in offsetting “the pressure of economic downturn and realise quick recovery.”
In response, Nayef said that China “tops the GCC’s list of resuming free trade negotiations” and expressed hope that the GCC-China talks will end with an agreement soon so that cooperation in the digital economy and high-tech areas can be enhanced between the two.
Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) Grouping
On Tuesday, the Director-General of China’s Department of International Organisations and Conferences of the Foreign Ministry, Yang Tao, hosted a symposium on the origins of the novel coronavirus, that saw participation from the envoys of BRICS nations. The Chinese delegation presented detailed information about the “background, process, findings and suggestions about future research of the China-WHO joint study”.
The participants also discussed “global cooperation in origin source-tracing, virus mutation, and virus transmission through cold chain”. The conference ended with all delegations speaking highly of Beijing’s cooperation with the WHO, and with them agreeing that the pandemic’s source-tracing must be “conducted based on science, and should not be politicised.” The participants further concurred that they “should enhance solidarity and cooperation, and make joint contributions to the global fight against the pandemic.”
Tanzania
President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a message to the new Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, offering his condolences over the passing of the country’s former President John Magufuli. Xi mentioned that President Magufuli was “an outstanding leader of Tanzania,” who had contributed positively to promoting friendly cooperation between both countries.
Laos
President Xi Jinping on Tuesday also sent a congratulatory message to the General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee, Thongloun Sisoulith, on his election as the country’s president. Xi highlighted that diplomatic relations between the two neighbours were established 60 years ago and have since “braved the waves and grown stronger.” He also said that both countries have joined forces in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, “which has vividly demonstrated the spirit of the China-Laos community with a shared future, and consolidated and deepened our brotherly friendship.”
On the same day, Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory message to Phankham Viphavanh on his election as Lao prime minister.
Kuwait
President Xi Jinping on Monday exchanged messages of congratulations with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Kuwait diplomatic relations. Xi used the occasion to express hope that both countries will “deepen cooperation... within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).” Both countries have been in discussions to create a Kuwait-China Silk Road Fund that would fund Kuwaiti projects related to the Silk City and islands development.
On the same day, Premier Li Keqiang also sent a congratulatory note to Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Sabah said that friendly relations between Kuwait and China have “achieved fruitful results”, which Kuwait highly appreciates.
Pakistan
Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday had a phone conversation with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Qureshi extended his congratulations on China’s successful convening of two sessions of the National People’s Congress earlier this month. He also expressed hope that China would continue to support Pakistan’s fight against the pandemic by supplying COVID-19 vaccines.
Wang Yi said that the two countries have held “the good tradition of helping each other in times of difficulty” and assured Pakistan that Beijing will “stand firmly” with Islamabad “until the final victory against the pandemic.”
Chinese Diplomatic Round-Up: March 20-26, 2021
This past week, Chinese diplomats held meetings with officials from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Pakistan, Laos, Tanzania, BRICS, and the GCC.
March 26, 2021
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. SOURCE: ASIA SOCIETY POLICY INSTITUTE