Gulf countries bound to Washington by strategic partnership: Jarallah


KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah and Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait Li Minggang cut the cake during the ceremony. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: Kuwait's Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah said Sunday that the "inflamed" situation in the Middle East requires Gulf countries to "move on from their wounds and stand united." "The situation in the region is leading us in a direction that is closer to optimism on resolving the Gulf dispute in light of the keenness of all sides on Kuwait's mediation," he told reporters at a Chinese embassy event celebrating China's national day. On the US position amid these escalating tensions, he said Kuwait and other Gulf countries are bound to Washington by a "strategic partnership and crucial alliance, characterized by the coordination of all sides." Meanwhile, he said Kuwait's attendance of talks on the US-proposed global maritime protection coalition is to learn more about its details and to form a relevant position.


Jarallah made his remarks to reports on the sideline of a reception hosted by the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China Li Minggang on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel. Higher official, diplomats, cross section of Chinese Community and media person attended the event. A 10 minutes cultural performance by the visiting artists won the heart of audience.


(From left) Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah, Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait Li Minggang and Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan

Kuwait - China ties
In a speech during the event, Ambassador Minggang spoke highly of his country's deep-rooted ties with Kuwait. "Kuwait is the first GCC country to establish diplomatic relations with China, and also the first Arab country to sign cooperation documents under the Belt and Road Initiative," he said. "In July last year, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah paid a successful state visit to China. During his visit, both countries agreed to establish a strategic partnership to inject new impetus into bilateral ties. China and Kuwait are mutually supportive in the issues of core interests and major concerns, and have collaborated closely in the United Nations Security Council and other multilateral organizations."


On bilateral trade, Ambassadors Minggang noted that its volume amounted to $18.7 billion last year, with a 55.1 percent year-over-year growth. "China maintains its position as Kuwait's largest source of imports and second largest export destination, and Kuwait's largest non-oil trade partner. Kuwait is one of the most important sources of China's crude oil imports," he said. "In 2018, China imported 23.21 million tons of crude oil from Kuwait, with a year-over-year increase of 27.2 percent. In addition, China and Kuwait have steadily expanded bilateral cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, finance and investment. The opening of Kuwait Investment Authority's (KIA) office in Shanghai marks Kuwait's second investment office overseas. The establishment of the Chinese Cultural Center in Kuwait is well underway at full swing."


China-Kuwait relations are currently at their best period in history, Ambassadors Minggang insisted. "China is ready to work with Kuwait to better align the Belt and Road Initiative with Kuwait Vision 2035, actively engage in the construction of major projects such as Kuwait's 'Silk City and the Five Islands' development project, and help the Kuwaiti people in the early attainment of their aspiration for a better life," he said. "I firmly believe that, under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Kuwait practical cooperation in various fields will achieve more fruitful results that benefits both peoples and contributes more to the world's common development."


A group picture featuring Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah, Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait Li Minggang and the ambassador’s spouse with performers at the event.

Close cooperation
Ambassadors Minggang also recalled the reforms that his country underwent throughout the past seven decades to become the economic powerhouse it is today. "The past 70 years since the founding of New China have witnessed the united and determined efforts of the Chinese people, and have also seen the deep integration and close cooperation between China and the rest of the world," he said. "In the past 70 years, China, the once poverty-stricken country, has gone through reforms and opening up and set out towards prosperity and strength. The Chinese people have created an economic miracle through their hard work. With an increase of 450 times in the GDP, from $30 billion in the early years of New China to more than $13.6 trillion in 2018, China is now the world's second largest economy, largest industrial country, largest trader of goods, biggest holder of foreign exchange reserves, and top producer of more than 200 industrial products."


"The Chinese people have created a scientific and technological miracle through their intelligence and wisdom," the ambassador went on. "China has made remarkable achievements in manned spaceflight, lunar exploration, quantum science, deep-sea exploration, supercomputing, satellite navigation and 5G mobile technology. These are all fruitful results of the strategy of pursuing innovation-driven development."
"The Chinese people have also created a miracle of better livelihood through their strenuous efforts," said the ambassador. "From 1949 to 2018, China's Gross National Income (GNI) per capita increased by 135 times from approximately $70 to $9,470. Thanks to the four decades of reform and opening-up, China has lifted over 700 million people out of poverty. The Chinese people have gained a greater sense of accomplishment and happiness to pursue a better life."

Shared prosperity
"Seeking well-being solely for its own is never a motto of China," Ambassadors Minggang proclaimed. "In the past 70 years, China has contributed to shared prosperity for all humanity while achieving its development goals. For many years, China has contributed more than 30 percent to the world economic growth, and has become a major stabilizer and engine of global economy. Six years ago, President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind. Since then, the Belt and Road Initiative has been translated from vision to actions. From Eurasia to Africa, Americas and Oceania, the Belt and Road Initiative opens the new space for world economic growth, builds new platforms for international trade and investment, provides a new solution to world economic governance, and makes new contribution to well-being of people in the participating countries. The Belt and Road Initiative has built a common platform for opportunities and a road to prosperity for all countries in the world. In the meantime, the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind has also become a consensus by being endorsed in the documents of the UN, the G20 and other international organizations, and has played a positive role in promoting peace and progress of mankind."