The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Qatar, H E Cao Xiaolin, has expressed China’s strong interest in enhancing relations with Qatar and working together to strengthen the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). China is set to assume the rotating presidency of the SCO following the recent SCO Summit held in Kazakhstan. Qatar officially became a Dialogue Partner of the SCO in 2022, a move that was warmly welcomed by China. The Ambassador highlighted Qatar’s influence in the Arab world and its active role in promoting regional stability and cooperation among nations.
China is looking forward to collaborating with Qatar to enhance its involvement in the SCO based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, respect for diverse civilizations, and the pursuit of common development. The Ambassador emphasized that the relationship between Beijing and Doha is at its best in history since diplomatic ties were established in 1988. The strategic partnership between China and Qatar was further solidified during a visit by the Amir of Qatar, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to China in 2014. China is eager to expand cooperation with Qatar in various areas to build a stronger strategic partnership that benefits both countries.
Qatar has been successful in mediating conflicts in various regions worldwide over the past three decades, earning praise from the international community for its efforts. The Ambassador noted Qatar’s mediation diplomacy as a shining hallmark on the global stage, contributing to the de-escalation of tensions and effective settlement of conflicts. China recognizes and appreciates Qatar’s role in promoting peace and stability through mediation efforts.
In terms of economic and trade cooperation, China wishes to strengthen synergy with Qatar’s development strategies and enhance cooperation in various sectors. The bilateral trade volume between China and Qatar has seen significant growth over the past decade, reaching $24.5 billion in 2023. Qatar has become the world’s largest supplier of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to China, with exports reaching nearly 17 million tons in 2023. China, in turn, has become Qatar’s largest LNG importer since 2020, highlighting the strong economic ties between the two countries.
China and Qatar aim to promote win-win cooperation and build a ‘golden decade’ of the China-Qatar strategic partnership. The Ambassador stressed the importance of enhancing high-quality Belt and Road Cooperation to further strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries. Both nations are committed to working together to create positive contributions to regional and international peace and development, as well as to foster a shared future for the China-Arab community. China values Qatar’s efforts in mediation and peace-building and looks forward to deepening cooperation in various fields for mutual benefit and development.
