Wang Yi Meets with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

On March 30, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who attended the "Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan Plus Afghanistan" Foreign Ministers' Dialogue, in Tunxi, Anhui Province.

Mohammed thanked China for inviting him to attend the Dialogue, spoke highly of China's important role on the Afghan issue, highly appreciated China's consistent and fair position on the Palestinian question, and extended congratulations on the successful Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. He said, Qatar cherishes its friendship with China, and the government and people of Qatar always remember the strong support of China when Qatar encountered difficulties. The Qatari side firmly supports the one-China principle and opposes external interference in China's internal affairs. The economic and trade cooperation between Qatar and China continues to expand, with China becoming Qatar's most important energy partner. Qatar is willing to be China's sustained and stable energy supplier and will firmly fulfill the cooperation agreement between the two sides. The Qatari side attaches great importance to and is willing to actively participate in the important Belt and Road Initiative, and will continue to provide convenience for Chinese enterprises to invest in Qatar.

Wang Yi said, President Xi Jinping and Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a successful meeting during the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and reached important consensus, leading the China-Qatar relations to constantly make new progress. The two sides should continue to support each other in safeguarding core interests and strengthen the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Qatar National Vision 2030. China is willing to be Qatar's long-term, reliable and stable strategic partner in energy cooperation and actively expand cooperation in the whole industrial chain.

Wang Yi said, Qatar has participated in the political settlement of various hotspot issues, and contributed to peace and cooperation, making Doha an important stage for small countries to actively carry out a strong foreign policy. The current international situation is turbulent and volatile, and non-peace factors are increasing. However, the Palestinian question should not be marginalized, let alone forgotten. China supports countries in the Middle East in strengthening solidarity and self-improvement, exploring development paths in line with their own choices in the spirit of independence, respecting and accommodating each other's legitimate concerns in an inclusive and reconciliatory manner, and building a collective security architecture in the Middle East.

The two sides agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, sports, tourism and other fields, so as to strengthen people-to-people bonds between the two countries.

The two sides agreed to upgrade cooperation between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Mohammed expressed support for signing the free trade agreement between China and the GCC as soon as possible.

The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation on the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Iranian nuclear issue, among others.