KUWAIT: China commended its long-standing "solidarity and cooperation" with Gulf Arab states, saying this has achieved "fruitful outcomes," particularly on trade and energy. "China has long maintained friendly relations with the GCC and its members," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a press conference on the sidelines of the China-GCC ministerial meeting on Monday.

"We understand and support each other on matters concerning each other's core interests and major concerns and have achieved fruitful outcomes in energy, economic, trade, people-to-people and cultural cooperation." The talks, held via videoconference, were chaired by the UAE in the attendance of China, GCC member states and the regional bloc's Secretary General.

"In the face of the COVID-19 outbreak, we stood together with mutual assistance and conducted effective cooperation, writing a new chapter of friendship with solidarity and cooperation," said Wenbin. "We believe this meeting will bring new progress to China-GCC relations," added the Chinese official. - KUNA