Beijing pushes Gulf bloc on long-delayed trade agreement

Citing rising protectionism and "attack" on free trade, China's foreign minister on Monday urged the Gulf Cooperation Council to finalize their long-delayed free trade agreement, according to a statement released by the ministry.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is currently undertaking a three-nation Middle East tour, which started in the United Arab Emirates and is scheduled to conclude in Jordan.

On Sunday in Riyadh, he held separate meetings with senior Saudi officials and also met with GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

The Chinese foreign ministry stated that he made the following comment during a meeting with Albudaiwi:

Wang stated that a successful Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would serve as a "strong signal to the world about defending multilateralism."

He also expressed China's support for the bloc's efforts to enhance its strategic autonomy and coordination, as well as advance its integration process.

Wang stated that China is also interested in deepening cooperation with the GCC in areas such as trade, economy, and investment.

Coordination with Saudi

China and Saudi Arabia have committed to strengthening their bilateral relationship, focusing on increased communication and coordination regarding regional and international matters.

Following a meeting between their respective foreign ministers, joint statements emphasised mutual understanding and a shared vision for stability.

Beijing specifically praised Riyadh for its significant and constructive role in facilitating diplomacy and ensuring security across the Middle East.

This strategic alignment signals a deepening partnership between the two nations, which is poised to influence geopolitical dynamics, particularly concerning energy, trade, and regional conflict resolution, solidifying their collaborative approach to global affairs.

On Sunday in the Saudi capital, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia met with Wang.

The joint statement, released by China's official news agency Xinhua, did not detail the areas for enhanced coordination between the two nations.

However, it did confirm China's support for stronger Saudi-Iran relations and the shared commitment of both countries to a "comprehensive and just settlement" of the Palestinian issue.

"(China) appreciates Saudi Arabia's leading role and efforts to achieve regional and international security and stability," according to the statement released on Monday, and quoted in a Reuters report.

Diplomatic efforts

The statement from the Chinese foreign ministry on Monday reported that Wang, during a conversation with his Saudi counterpart, emphasised that China considers Saudi Arabia to be a "priority for Middle East diplomacy" and a significant collaborator in global diplomatic efforts.

He additionally urged greater collaboration in energy and investments, with a focus on new energy and the green transformation.

In a separate meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Wang Yi affirmed China's commitment to serving as the "most reliable partner" in Saudi Arabia's revitalisation efforts.

Another foreign ministry statement indicated that Wang also emphasised China's role in "injecting more stabilising factors" to foster peace and security across the region.

The joint statement indicated that the countries have reached an agreement to grant reciprocal visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and special passports.