Chinese premier meets Sultan of Oman

BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik Al Said of Oman in Beijing on Monday.

Li said the talks between the two heads of state earlier this morning mapped out a new blueprint for further deepening the China-Oman strategic partnership.

China is ready to work with Oman to carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen mutual support, promote cooperation in various fields, and better serve the modernization of the two countries, he noted.

Li expressed China's willingness to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Oman, deepen cooperation across the entire oil and gas industry chain, and carry out more high-quality clean energy projects.

He called on both sides to expand cooperation in areas such as agriculture and fisheries, aerospace satellites, information and communication, and artificial intelligence, and promote the early conclusion of the free trade agreement negotiations between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Li added the two sides should expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges, including within the culture and education sectors, and further facilitate two-way personnel exchanges.

China and Oman, both Global South countries, should maintain close communication and coordination in multilateral affairs to jointly safeguard world peace and stability, Li added.

Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik, who is on a state visit to China, said Oman deeply admires China's development achievements, which have attracted attention worldwide. Oman looks forward to learning from China's development experience and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, he added.

Oman is willing to enhance communication and coordination with China in international and regional affairs, and contribute to resolving conflicts and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region, he noted.