Economy

China, Qatar ink MoU on energy, financial co-op

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-13 11:12

BEIJING: The governments of China and Qatar on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in the energy and financial sectors.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and visiting Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani attended the signing ceremony after their meeting at the Great Hall of the People.

Hailing China-Qatar relations, Wen said the two nations in recent years have increased mutual political trust and common interests and enjoy a solid foundation for expanding bilateral win-win cooperation.

China will work with Qatar to seize the opportunity to cope with the international financial crisis and actively advance cooperation in energy, finance and infrastructure construction, Wen said.

"This will help promote economic growth in the two nations and push forward the bilateral friendship," the premier said.

The Qatari Prime Minister said his country attaches importance to building a friendly and cooperative relationship with China based on mutual trust.

Qatar will work with China to deepen cooperation in the oil and gas business, expand mutual investment, and explore cooperation in other areas, he said.

Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani is in China to attend the fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum. Foreign ministers and officials from China and 22 Arab states will attend the two-day meeting from Thursday in north China's port city of Tianjin.

Premier Wen said China attaches great importance to the meeting and believes the meeting will achieve success and advance China-Arab relations.