Chinese vice president calls for closer ties with Qatar

Source: Xinhua | 06-24-2008 08:47

DOHA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Monday put forward proposals on promoting friendly and cooperative ties between China and Qatar.

During a meeting with Qatari Crown Prince Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Xi pointed out that the friendly cooperation between the two nations faces unprecedented opportunities.

Xi suggested the two sides cement high-level exchanges and communications to better coordinate bilateral cooperation.

Cooperation in trade, energy and other fields should be strengthened and mutual investment be boosted, he said.

He also called for strengthened bilateral cooperation in the field of infrastructure construction.

Crown Prince Tamim agreed with the suggestions, saying that Qatar hopes to deepen cooperation with China in the above-mentioned fields.

Qatar welcomes Chinese investors, he added.

Xi and Crown Prince Tamim also presented the signing ceremonies of the agreement on the establishment of the Sino-Qatari investment promotion commission, the agreement on the establishment of sister city relationship between Beijing and Doha, as well as a series of bilateral cooperation agreements concerning labor, shipping, tourism and petrochemicals.

Xi arrived here Monday for a two-day official visit. Qatar is the fourth leg of Xi's five-nation Asia tour, which has already taken him to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Mongolia and Saudi Arabia. He will also visit Yemen.

Editor:Zhang Ning