Wang Yi Holds Talks with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi

On January 14, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province.

Wang Yi first conveyed President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings and best wishes to Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, saying that China and Oman enjoy time-honored friendship, with the ancient Silk Road connecting the two countries. China is Oman's only strategic partner. Political mutual trust between the two countries has been continuously consolidated, and pragmatic cooperation in various fields has been promoted in an orderly manner. China and Oman, both developing countries and emerging market economies, are facing common challenges. The two sides should deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and push forward the China-Oman strategic partnership.

Badr conveyed Sultan Haitham's sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping, saying that the friendship between Oman and China dates back to ancient times, and the two sides always understand and respect each other. Badr thanked China for its strong support to Oman, saying that Oman firmly adheres to the one-China principle and supports China in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests. Oman stands ready to further deepen the Oman-China strategic partnership and actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation. China is welcome to increase investment in Oman. Oman opposes the politicization of sports, supports China in hosting the Beijing Olympic Winter Games, and firmly believes that the Beijing Olympic Winter Games will be a successful and splendid sports festival.

Wang Yi said, China appreciates the fact that Oman consistently follows a friendly policy towards China and supports China in safeguarding its core interests and national dignity. China will continue to firmly support Oman in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and stability. Wang Yi said, China is Oman's largest trading partner and largest importer of crude oil. In the first three quarters of last year, the bilateral trade volume bucked the overall downward trend and increased by more than 60 percent, fully demonstrating the vitality of China-Oman relations. China supports Oman in implementing the "2040 Vision" and accelerating economic diversification, and is willing to actively participate in the construction of major projects in Oman. China encourages and supports more competent Chinese enterprises' investment in Oman and welcomes Oman's export of high-quality aquatic products to China. China thanks Oman for its assistance in docking and replenishing the Chinese naval escort task force in the Gulf of Aden.

The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in oil and gas resources exploration, equipment manufacturing, industrial parks, 5G communication, electric power and other fields, expand cooperation in new energy and renewable energy, and explore and promote tripartite cooperation. The two sides agreed on visa exemption between the two countries and are willing to sign documents at an early date to facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries and promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Both sides agreed to continue to strengthen anti-pandemic cooperation, ensure equitable access to vaccines, and oppose politicizing the pandemic. The two sides will explore cooperative vaccine production and drug research and development, and strengthen medical and health cooperation.

The two sides also exchanged views on deepening cooperation between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Badr said, Oman supports the signing of the China-GCC Free Trade Area Agreement at an early day so as to inject robust impetus into bilateral cooperation.

The two sides exchanged views on multilateral issues. Badr said, Oman welcomes the Global Development Initiative (GDI) put forward by President Xi Jinping, and appreciates China's contributions to accelerating the realization of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, promoting fairness and justice, and safeguarding the rights and interests of developing countries. Oman stands ready to strengthen synergy regarding the implementation of the GDI.

The two sides agreed that the basic norms governing international relations such as non-interference in internal affairs should be abided by, and differences and hotspot issues should be resolved through peaceful dialogue, so as to promote regional peace, stability and development. China and Oman will continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation on multilateral occasions. Wang Yi stressed, China supports Arab countries' self-strengthening through unity and is willing to be a reliable partner of Gulf countries.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues related to the Middle East and Yemen, as well as the Iranian nuclear issue, among others. Wang Yi said, China attaches importance to the reasonable concerns of Arab countries and will continue to play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability.