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

On March 29, 2021 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi in Muscat.

Wang Yi said, with a long history dating back to the Silk Road, the ties between China and Oman have exemplified the China-Arab relations and the friendly exchanges between the two great civilizations. China appreciates Oman for its strong adherence to the one-China policy and its support on the issues concerning China's core interests. China also firmly supports Oman in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, and social stability and independently exploring a development path in line with its own national conditions. China is willing to be Oman's most trustworthy friend to jointly seek greater development of the China-Oman strategic partnership in the new era, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Wang Yi said, China is willing to deepen the synergy between the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Oman's '2040 Vision', pursue high-quality BRI cooperation, and boost their cooperation in the fields such as energy, investment, fishery, high and new technologies, and human resources for complementing one another and achieving common development. China hopes the two sides will jointly implement the Initiative on China-Arab Data Security Cooperation to help raise the voice of developing countries in formulating the rules governing the global digital economy. The two sides need to cement their cooperation in sports and tourism to consolidate the friendship between the two peoples. China is willing to join hands with Oman and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states to create a China-GCC free trade zone as soon as possible.

Wang Yi pointed out, the regional issues shall be solved through peaceful negotiations among the related states and their peoples because 'the Middle East belongs to its peoples.' This region has long suffered from excessive interference by big powers and their geopolitical competition for years. China hopes Middle East countries would adhere to independence and self-reliance and explore a development path in line with regional conditions to jointly preserve peace and stability in the region. As a good friend and partner with the countries in the Middle East including the Gulf states, China will continue to stand unwaveringly with them and support their efforts to achieve lasting peace, stability and prosperity. China also appreciates Oman's consistent, moderate and inclusive foreign policy, and believes Oman will play a unique role in seeking peace in the Middle East.

Badr said, the bilateral relations have made great strides in the past 40 years since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties. Oman has been firmly sticking to the one-China policy and expects to strengthen the cooperation with China in various fields for mutual benefits. Oman appreciates China's support for Oman in fighting the COVID-19, and expects to strengthen vaccine cooperation with China to boost the regional and global fight against the pandemic. Oman highly lauds the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping and is keen to be a genuine partner in advancing this initiative. Oman opens all its sectors to China and welcomes Chinese investment in tourism, energy, renewable energy, mining, science and technology, information technology, and human resources. China is an important force in safeguarding global balance and stability. Oman applauds China's just stance on regional hotspot issues including the Palestinian issue, China's constructive role in maintaining Middle East security, and China's positive contribution to preserving international laws, norms and order. Oman supports the earlier establishment of the China-GCC free trade zone, and will further its communication and collaboration with China in order to make joint contribution to regional and global peace and prosperity.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Both sides agreed to sign a visa-free deal. Before the talk, the two ministers witnessed the signing of several documents on cooperation in the areas of culture, media and health. They also attended the ceremony of unveiling the plaque of a memorial monument of Chinese navigator Zheng He.