On December 12, 2018, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the first meeting of China-Qatar Inter-governmental Strategic Dialogue Mechanism with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani of Qatar in Beijing.

Wang Yi expressed that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Qatar, and it is of great significance for the two countries to initiate an inter-governmental strategic dialogue mechanism and hold the first meeting. The Chinese side is willing to, together with the Qatari side, take the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani as guidance to strengthen high-level exchanges, consolidate political mutual trust, well make overall plans for key areas and priority projects of bilateral cooperation and enrich the connotation of strategic relations, so as to jointly push bilateral relations towards another 30 years of faster development.

Wang Yi expressed that Qatar is one of the first countries to respond to and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, and is a natural partner for the joint undertaking of the Belt and Road Initiative. At present, the Chinese side is pursuing opening up at a higher level with greater efforts, which will not only promote its own development and global common development, but create more opportunities for Qatar. The two sides can take the joint undertaking of the Belt and Road Initiative as an opportunity to promote the alignment of development strategies and boost practical cooperation to new highs. China is implementing the strategy of green development, and has global pioneering advantages in such areas as the 5th generation of mobile communication, high and new technology and Internet of Things. China is a reliable and lasting cooperative partner of the Qatari side. Both sides can conduct mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as energy, high and new technology, investment and finance. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Qatari side to enhance communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, and deepen cooperation under multilateral frameworks including the United Nations, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) and China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.

The two sides announced that the agreement on mutual exemption of visas between the two countries will officially take effect from December 21, hoping to take it as an opportunity to speed up tourism cooperation and cement people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani expressed that relations between Qatar and China enjoy solid foundation with sound cooperation in various fields including politics, economy and culture. The Qatari side is ready to give full play to the coordinating role of the strategic dialogue mechanism so as to promote the greater development of bilateral relations in the next 30 years. The Qatari side is firmly committed to enhancing relations with China, supports China in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity and supports the Belt and Road Initiative put forward by the Chinese side. The Qatari side highly appreciated the Chinese side’s adherence to resolving issues through dialogues and its positive and constructive role in propelling peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East and other regions. The Qatari side is willing to take the joint undertaking of the Belt and Road Initiative to lead bilateral cooperation in the future and boost cooperation in such areas as investment, energy, infrastructure, tourism, culture and education, so as to benefit the two peoples. The Qatari side hopes to enhance dialogue and cooperation with the Chinese side in the ACD, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and other regional and multilateral organizations.

Wang Yi briefed the measures taken and positive results achieved by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in combating violence and terrorism as well as in preventing extremism. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani noted that terrorism is a common threat to all human beings, and the Qatari side supports China’s measures in safeguarding national security and stability and preventing terrorism and extremism, and is willing to enhance cooperation in the fields of security and anti-terrorism with the Chinese side.