Qatar

China stands ready to work with Qatar to push forward their strategic partnership to a new level amid the new opportunities facing bilateral ties, President Xi Jinping said when meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Saturday.

China stands ready to cooperate with Qatar on jointly building the Belt and Road, implementing the Global Development Initiative, Xi said. He called on the two sides to deepen enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges, adding that China is ready to work with Qatar to launch the first panda cooperation in the Middle East.

Xi also expressed hope that Qatar will continue to play a positive role in working to reach a free trade agreement between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The Qatari emir said Qatar will continue to firmly support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and security, and will deepen cooperation between the two sides.