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| Kuwaiti Amir to visit China May 10-13 |
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| Politics 5/2/2009 1:52:00 PM |
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KUWAIT -- Negotiations are ongoing between the two countries for
constructing an oil refinery in southern China comprising a refinery and a
petrochemical complex at a total cost of USD nine billion, to be completed by
2012, he added.
During his visit to China, the Kuwaiti oil minister met with top officials
and discussed oil cooperation "and it is in my opinion that his visit was
successful," the ambassador said.
Beijing welcomes Kuwaiti investments and also encourages Chinese companies
to invest in Kuwait, he added.
In response to a question about China's relations with the Arab world, and
specifically with GCC states, he said his country's relations with the Arab
world were "friendly" and that Beijing sought to improve these relations,
especially with members of the GCC.
"Over the years, the two sides have maintained mutual support and
coordination over regional and international issues, and the Sino-Arab Forum
was established in 2004 ... this has become an important platform for
collective dialogue and an effective mechanism for cooperation," Jiemin said.
As for relations with the GCC states, he said that his country was keen for
high-level visits "to boost mutual political confidence" and cooperation in
different areas.
In 2008, the volume of Chinese-GCC trade came to USD 80 billion, or 70
percent of the volume of trade between China and the Arab world, he said,
adding that China imported one third of its oil resources from the six Gulf
states in that year.
"We hope for strategic dialogue to commence between the two sides as soon
as possible, and for negotiations to begin over establishing a free trade zone,
" he said.
Commenting on Middle East peace, the ambassador said that his country
appointed a special envoy to the Middle East in 2003 and that the Chinese
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi had recently visited Egypt, the Palestinian
territories, Israel and Syria and discussed with its leaders means to push
forth the peace process.
The minister also presented a five-point proposal for pushing the peace
negotiations forward, he noted.
"China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, will continue to
make contact and coordinate with all related parties and play a constructive
role in achieving a comprehensive, just and permanent solution for the Middle
Eastern crisis," he said.
Asked about the impact of the global economic crisis on China and what
steps had been taken to deal with it, he said the effect of the crisis "is
being more prominent," and since the third quarter of 2008, Chinese exports
"dropped sharply," while economic growth in the first quarter of 2009 came to
6.1 percent, dropping 4.5 percent compared to the same period last year.
"The Chinese government is working hard, and has introduced amendments to
its integrated economy policy, and quickly took measures to expand internal
demand, and implemented a number of relevant policies," he said.
These measures, he said, aimed at increasing economic growthe and would
help strengthen local demand and restructure industries, while supporting
technology and creating social security at the same time.
"Our economic and commercial relations with Kuwait have not been affected
by the crisis, and China is keen on cooperating with Kuwait in dealing with
this crisis," he concluded. (end)
ema
KUNA 021352 May 09NNNN
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