Embassy marks 72nd ’versary of founding

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 23: Kuwaiti Assistant Foreign Minister for Asia Affairs Ambassador Waleed Al-Khubaizi said Thursday Kuwait is eager to bolster bilateral relations with China in all fields. The Kuwaiti official made the remark in a speech he delivered on behalf of Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, during a virtual reception organized by the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait to mark the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. He said the State of Kuwait cherishes its friendship and deep and distinguished relations with China, which have greatly developed in several areas, culminating in a bilateral strategic partnership, especially in energy, trade, investment and mega development projects.

He said he looks forward to seeing more joint cooperation with China in order to serve the higher interests of both friendly nations, while commending fruitful cooperation and exchange of information and expertise between both sides on the fight against the novel Coronavirus pandemic. The Kuwaiti official spoke highly of the amazing development and advancement made by China over the last few decades, gaining it an international status as a major influential country. On his part, Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait Li Minggang addressed the reception by regarding the year 2021 as a landmark in the history of Sino-Kuwaiti relations, recalling that bilateral diplomatic ties were forged 50 years back. He said the relationship between China and Kuwait has ever since stood the test of time, involving international changes and fluctuations. He added that since strategic partnership ties were established between China and Kuwait in 2018, both nations have pushed forward practical cooperation in all fields.

The Chinese ambassador went on to say that both sides have worked together on the team spirit basis to curb the impacts of the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19), saying that Chinese companies have actively participated in the execution of over 70 projects in Kuwait. Two-way trade exchange hit USD 9.43 billion in the first half of this year, up 32.4 percent on an annual basis, he said, adding that China imported 14.18 million tons of crude oil from Kuwait, a rise of 5.71 percent, on an annual basis. He concluded by saying that China and Kuwait are willing to maintain close coordination and cooperation, and to work together to promote regional peace and stability and to join international efforts to fight the pandemic.(KUNA)