Foreign Minister: Bahraini-Chinese trade generates $2 billion

TDT | Manama

The trade exchange between Bahrain and China had reached about two billion dollars in 2019, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani yesterday. He also reiterated Bahrain’s support to the “Belt and Road” initiative, a global development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 involving infrastructure development and investments in nearly 70 countries and international organizations.

Dr Al-Zayani was speaking at the ninth session of the ministerial meeting of the Arab-Chinese Cooperation Forum (ACCF), which was held in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The virtual meeting was chaired by Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi.

Also present were the Chinese Councilor of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, other Arab foreign ministers, a Bahraini delegation of officials and the Arab League secretary general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Dr Al-Zayani pointed out in his speech that since ACCF was established in 2004, Arab-Chinese relations have seen remarkable development.

He highlighted Bahrain’s constant support to the forum by hosting a number of its activities – their third session in 2008, the ACCF in the media in 2010, and the second session of the Chinese Arts Festival in 2012. The foreign minister listed out a few of the achievements from recent Bahraini-Chinese relations, as the two countries celebrated the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations last year.

The Chinese Confucius Institute was opened at the University of Bahrain in 2014, the Chinese Dragon City was set up in Muharraq in 2015, and Bahrain signed a memorandum of understanding to join the Chinese “Belt and Road” initiative in 2018. He affirmed Bahrain’s keenness to bolster bilateral relations in all vital fields, beneficial to both the countries.

Arab-Chinese cooperation through remote meetings between health officials to overcome the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and their joint statement to combat COVID-19 was lauded by Dr Al-Zayani. He also welcomed holding an Arab-Chinese summit, hosted by Saudi Arabia, the executive programme for cooperation between both sides and the Amman Declaration.