BEIJING, April 25: The foreign ministries of Kuwait and China concluded the fifth round of their political consultations today in Beijing.

The Kuwaiti delegation was led by Ambassador Samih Jawhar Hayat, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, while the Chinese delegation was headed by Ambassador Chen Weiqing, Assistant Foreign Minister for the Department of West Asia and North Africa at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Hayat described the talks as highly constructive, noting that both sides demonstrated closely aligned perspectives on a wide range of regional and international issues. He highlighted the open, candid, and in-depth nature of the discussions, which focused on mutual interests.

He expressed satisfaction on behalf of both delegations with the continued growth and strength of the historical and distinguished relations between Kuwait and China. He further noted that the consultations focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in political, economic, and development sectors, in line with the ongoing evolution of Kuwaiti-Chinese ties.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering coordination and cooperation in regional and international forums, as well as supporting one another’s positions within international organizations to serve shared interests.

Ambassador Hayat emphasized that these consultations reflect the directives of both countries’ senior leaderships to maintain momentum in high-level exchanges and preserve the unique and longstanding relationship between the two nations across multiple fields.

The two sides also reviewed the latest progress on agreements and memoranda of understanding signed between their governments, particularly those linked to major development projects in Kuwait. These include the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project, the Al-Shagaya and Al-Abdaliya renewable energy initiatives, the wastewater treatment plant, labor and housing cities, and the low-carbon green waste recycling system. They also explored further cooperation in the areas of economic and free zones.

On the sidelines of the consultations, Ambassador Hayat held several bilateral meetings with senior Chinese government officials, representatives from the International Relations Department of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee, and senior advisors from the National Development and Reform Commission.

During these meetings, both sides underscored the importance of continuing diplomatic consultations and deepening bilateral collaboration, building on the momentum of the successful state visit by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to China in September 2023.

Ambassador Hayat reiterated Kuwait’s strong commitment to further advancing its strategic partnership with China.

It was agreed that the political consultation mechanism would continue on a regular basis, with the next round to be held in Kuwait at a date to be determined through diplomatic channels.

The meetings were attended by Kuwait’s Ambassador to China, Jassim Ibrahim Al-Najem, Counselor Abdulaziz Al-Dakhil, members of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Beijing, and Diplomatic Attachés Ajil Al-Ahmad and Mubarak Al-Qamis from the Asian Affairs Department at Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  (KUNA)