Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to attend the Fourth Manama Dialogue. I thank the International Institute for Strategic Studies for its invitation and the Government of Bahrain for organizing the meeting. The Manama Dialogue offers a platform for discussions on issues related to security in the Gulf region and I wish to take this opportunity to share with you my observations on this subject.

The international community has always attached great importance to security in the Gulf region, as this is a region that carries considerable political, economic and cultural weight. It accounts for less than 1% of the world's land mass but takes up nearly 60% of global oil and 42% of global gas reserves. As the largest energy producer and exporter in the world, it has a significant role to play in ensuring global stability and prosperity. Over the years, countries in the region have made good progress in promoting economic growth and maintaining regional stability and contributed their share to global peace and development.

Yet the Gulf region is not trouble free. Seven large-scale wars have broken out in and around the region since the end of the Second World War. Some long-standing hotspot issues remain unresolved while new crises have surfaced. Traditional and non-traditional security threats are putting regional security and stability at risk. To uphold and promote security in the Gulf is a major task for countries in the region and a test of wisdom of the international community.

I wish to make the following points on security in the Gulf region.

First, to enhance mutual trust through dialogue and security through cooperation is the fundamental way to ease tension and achieve long-term stability. Dialogue may take longer and may even have setbacks, but only decisions made on the basis of consultation and understanding are solid. Confrontation produces no winner, but can only add to hatred and suffering. There is no better proof in this regard than the seven large-scale wars.

No country can manage the complicated problems in the Gulf region on its own, or insulate itself from them. Only when countries talk to each other on an equal footing, bridge differences and accommodate each other's concerns can they ease the tensions. Only when countries are engaged in sincere consultations can they build mutual trust and lay the foundation for a Gulf security framework.

Based on the above understanding, we support the Iraqi government's efforts to promote reconciliation through dialogue. We hope Iraq and its neighbors will address their concerns through consultation and live in harmony and the international community will work together to help with Iraq's reconstruction.

Also based on the above understanding, we call for a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means. We support upholding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. And we do not hope to see new turbulences in the region.

Political mutual trust and economic cooperation are important pillars underpinning security in the Gulf. Without political mutual trust, economic cooperation cannot go far. Close economic cooperation contributes to national economic prosperity, helps remove uncertainties, and leads to increased interactions and greater political mutual trust among countries in the region. Success stories in regional cooperation throughout the world have shown that political mutual trust and economic cooperation are the foundation for security cooperation.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has, since its inception, made big strides forward in promoting economic integration, deepening political mutual trust and fostering security cooperation. It has effectively maintained and advanced member states' security, stability and development. GCC's successful experience is helpful in establishing a larger security framework for the Gulf.

Stability in the surrounding regions is crucial for security in the Gulf. Security in the Gulf is closely related to the situation in the entire Middle East. The Middle East is the longest regional hotspot in the world, which has affected stability in the Gulf region for over 50 years now. An early and just, fair and comprehensive solution to the Middle East issue through concerted international efforts on the basis of relevant UN resolutions, the principle of "land for peace" and the Arab Peace Initiative will not only remove the constraints on peace and development of the parties concerned, but also help create a favorable external environment for stability in the Gulf region.

The Gulf region has played an important role in the history of human civilization and still exerts extensive and profound influence on the world. The current international and regional situation has made it all the more necessary for all members of the international community to respect one another, replace confrontation with dialogue and exclusion with inclusion, encourage mutual learning among different cultures and promote common development.

Gulf countries are important members of the international family. In endeavoring to promote security in the Gulf, countries outside the region should first of all, respect the right of Gulf countries to independently choose their road to development, and secondly listen to their appeal and address their legitimate concerns. Based on such a principle, we should work together to promote stability in the Gulf region through dialogue and cooperation on an equal footing.

The Chinese Government is committed to promoting security and stability in the Gulf region and developing friendship and cooperation with Gulf countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. China has conducted dialogue with Gulf countries at various levels with a view to deepening political mutual trust, carried out equal and mutually beneficial economic cooperation and trade in order to achieve common development and engaged in diverse forms of cultural exchanges so as to better mutual understanding. We support and have taken an active part in the international efforts to peacefully resolve regional hotspot issues. We have played a constructive role in promoting a more peaceful and stable regional situation by appointing special envoys, providing humanitarian assistance, participating in reconstruction efforts, and contributing to peacekeeping missions.

Mr. Chairman,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In an increasingly globalized world, countries have become ever more interdependent. Without peace and stability in the Gulf region, there will not be genuine peace and stability in the world. We hope that parties concerned will work together to properly handle regional hotspot issues, ease tension, advance dialogue and cooperation and create conditions for a just, fair and balanced framework for security in the Gulf region. China is willing to contribute its share to achieving this goal.

Thank you.