On July 9, 2018, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Beijing with Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa of Bahrain who was in China for the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF).

Wang Yi expressed that Bahrain is one of the first Arab states to promote political and economic reform and transformation. China supports Bahrain in following a path of diversified development, and congratulates Bahrain on its important achievements in national development. In 2013, President Xi Jinping and King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-khalifa reached a series of important consensus on developing China-Bahrain relations, charting the course for the development of bilateral relations. In recent years, the consensus of the two heads of state has been effectively implemented. In the next stage, both sides should continue to firmly support each other on issues involving each other's core interests, advance practical cooperation in various fields under the framework of the joint construction of the Belt and Road, and translate the willingness of cooperation between both sides into tangible results, so as to benefit the two peoples. China is also willing to strengthen cooperation with Bahrain under the CASCF framework.

Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa noted that Bahrain attaches great importance to China's important position in the international arena and its positive role in international affairs, and thanks China for supporting Bahrain in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and stability for a long time. Bahrain adheres to the one-China principle and firmly supports China's efforts in safeguarding its national core interests. Bahrain highly appreciates and supports the Belt and Road Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping, and stands ready to further strengthen cooperation in various fields with China under this framework, so as to elevate bilateral relations to new stages. The Bahraini side will closely cooperate with China to well hold the upcoming 8th CASCF Ministerial Meeting, and believes that the meeting will for sure be a complete success and push forward Arab-China cooperation for new outcomes.

After the meeting, both sides signed a memorandum of understanding on jointly advancing the Belt and Road construction and an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and service passports between China and Bahrain.