KUWAIT CITY, Sept 17: Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Assistant Minister for Asian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Khaled Al-Yassin has suggested holding a meeting between His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad and Chinese President Xi Jinping during His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad’s visit expected this week to attend the Asian Games in China. In a press statement issued on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Chinese Cultural Center yesterday, Al-Yassin affirmed that there is a strategic partnership between Kuwait and China, the foundations of which were laid by the late Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad during his visit to China in 2018.

He explained that there are negotiations ongoing between the two sides to prepare for signing a number of memorandums of understanding during the visit of His Highness the Crown Prince. Kuwait is the first Arab country in the region to sign the Belt and Road Agreement. There is a Chinese desire to participate in major development projects in Kuwait, which is welcomed by Kuwait. Regarding the signing of the Shanghai Treaty, Al-Yassin said, “It is considered part of the interest of the political leadership in strengthening its relations with the countries of the East, and it happened a year ago. Kuwait had joined as a dialogue partner, and also joined “Sika”. About two weeks ago, Kuwait signed the Treaty of Cooperation and Friendship as a dialogue partner with ASEAN.”

Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait Zhang Jianwei affirmed that the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games will advance the strategic partnership between China and Kuwait and raise it to a higher level, adding that work will be done to accelerate the pace of bilateral cooperation in various fields, including in the field of culture. He explained that the Chinese Cultural Center in Kuwait is considered a symbol of Chinese-Kuwaiti friendship. Kuwait is the first and only Gulf country in which a Chinese medical team is stationed. As the Chinese Cultural Center in Kuwait - the first of its kind in the Gulf region - celebrates its trial operation, Kuwait will be at the forefront of cultural exchanges between China and the GCC countries in the new era. It will establish a more solid cultural foundation for building a Chinese-Arab community with a common future, which once again highlights the special relationship between Kuwait and China. The center will launch a variety of services and activities, including Chinese language teaching and information services.

Furthermore, Assistant Secretary-General for the Arts Sector at the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Literature (NCCAL) Musaed Al-Zamil revealed the presentation of a cultural week in Hong Kong in November He indicated that agreements are being prepared to translate Chinese literature books into Arabic and translate Kuwaiti literature books into Chinese. In addition, the Director of the Chinese Cultural Center Xia Jianfeng said the center in Kuwait aims to implement the agreements signed between the two governments and to tell the Chinese story to friends here in Kuwait and the international community. He highlighted the organization of language learning lessons, and seminars to exchange ideas, in addition to cultural exchange events and cooperation for our people. Also, the chief representative of the Sinopec Group office in the Middle East Lian Mingxiang announced the donation of books and bookshelves on the occasion of the opening of the Chinese Cultural Center in order to contribute to cultural exchanges between China and Kuwait. By Fares Al-Abdan Al-Seyassah / Arab Times Staff