MANAMA — Bahrain's top leadership held on Monday separate meetings with China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is currently on a visit to the country. In his meeting with the Chinese foreign minister, Bahrain's King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa expressed his country's pride in its solid long-standing relations with China, noting that the two friendly countries' relations have been based on strong foundations of mutual trust and respect, as well as joint cooperation and coordination across all fields. The Bahraini king made the remarks as he received the Chinese minister at the Gudaibiya Palace on Monday. King Hamad reviewed with the minister ways to bolster the Bahraini-Chinese cooperation, particularly in the investment, economic, trade, and scientific fields, in addition to areas of bilateral coordination and joint action in order to achieve the common interests of the two countries and their friendly peoples. The Bahraini king said that the kingdom attaches special interest to those ties, and looks forwards to enhancing cooperation with China at all levels, highlighting the promising investment opportunities provided by Bahrain across various vital sectors, King Hamad appreciated the important role played by China at the international level thanks to its civilizational, political and economic weight, lauding the Chinese expatriate community's role and good contributions to Bahrain's economic and trade march. He expressed Bahrain's appreciation for China's interest in achieving security and stability in the Middle East region, addressing political and security challenges, accelerating the pace of cooperation among the region's countries to achieve development, and supporting the global economy. Referring to the latest developments of the global spread of coronavirus, and the efforts being exerted to contain its impacts, the king praised the effective and fruitful cooperation between the two countries, especially regarding the vaccination against COVID-19 and the exchange of expertise. The king also discussed with the Chinese minister the latest regional and global developments of mutual interest. The Chinese foreign minister expressed thanks and appreciation to the king for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him. He expressed pride in the efforts being made by King Hamad to enhance the kingdom's relations with China, stressing that his country is interested in strengthening its cooperation with Bahrain. He also lauded the role played by the king in Bahrain's progress. Earlier in the day, the Chinese foreign minister met with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, who is also the country's prime minister, at Riffa Palace. In his meeting with Wang Yi, Crown Prince Salman highlighted the wide-ranging growth in relations between Bahrain and China, which continues to be supported by cooperation across various sectors. Bahraini crown prince noted that the global COVID-19 pandemic has added a new dimension to international cooperation driven by humanitarian principles and commitment to full economic recovery. They also discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Additional regional and international issues of common interest were also discussed. Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani, and Minister of Finance and National Economy Shaikh Salman Bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa also attended the meeting between the crown prince and the Chinese foreign minister. Meanwhile, Bahraini's foreign minister also had a separate meeting with his Chinese counterpart on Monday. During the meeting, Al-Zayani welcomed Wang Yi and his accompanying delegation, expressing his appreciation for the historical friendship between the two countries. Al-Zayani also underlined the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation and mutual coordination and the importance of developing and enhancing such relations for the common interests of both countries. The Bahraini minister also hailed the prominent role played by the Chinese government in strengthening bilateral cooperation with Bahrain and its efforts to maintaining global security and peace. Wang Yi expressed his pleasure to visit Bahrain, praising the strength of the historic friendship between Bahrain and China in light of the mutual keenness to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields, noting the advanced level of bilateral cooperation relations at all levels, wishing Bahrain further growth and prosperity. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral cooperation relations and ways to enhance them in various fields that serve the common interests of the two friendly countries and peoples. They also reviewed the opportunities available to develop joint cooperation in the economic, trade, and investment fields, in addition to exchanging views on developments in the region as well as regional and international issues of common concern. The two sides also discussed cooperation to combat COVID-19.
