Omani Sultan and Chinese President Discuss Cooperation Areas and Enhancement Measures

His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman and Chinese President Xi Jinping held an extensive official talks session at the Great Hall of the People in the capital, Beijing, as part of the Sultan’s state visit to Beijing.

The Oman News Agency reported that the meeting discussed existing areas of cooperation between the two countries and ways to enhance them, particularly in the sectors of technology and innovation, artificial intelligence, energy, renewable energy, manufacturing, logistics, digital trade, food security, and strengthening integration between economic zones and ports. The two leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement and 14 memoranda of understanding and cooperation protocols.

In a speech on the occasion, Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the visit and its importance in consolidating bilateral relations, deepening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, thereby contributing to strengthening the existing partnership and opening broader fields for joint cooperation. He noted that this is the first visit by an Omani Sultan to China since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and that it “will become an important page in the history of bilateral relations and inject strong dynamics into their development.”

Xi affirmed China’s support for Oman’s efforts to preserve its independence, sovereignty, security, and stability, and to explore a development path consistent with its realistic conditions. He stated that the Gulf region and the Middle East should not be a arena for competition among major powers or for geopolitical conflicts, emphasizing Beijing’s resolve to enhance coordination with Arab countries, including the Sultanate of Oman, and to make joint efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability as soon as possible.

China Central Television (CCTV) quoted President Xi as saying that his country continues to enhance peace talks, end fighting, and propose solutions that would take the region out of its security dilemma. He affirmed China’s readiness to continue calling for resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means, and to support foundations of good neighborliness, development, security, and cooperation.

The Omani Sultan also delivered a speech on the occasion, in which he praised China’s role as “a civilizational and human bridge connecting the East and the West, and a center for cultural radiance and intellectual diversity,” affirming the depth of the historical relations between the two countries and his direct support for developing these ties.

Sultan Haitham bin Tarik pointed out that China has become Oman’s largest trading partner, and that “direct investments by Chinese companies in our country over the past few years, in partnership with the Oman Investment Authority, have exceeded 33 billion Chinese yuan, with partnership areas expanding to include energy, industry, infrastructure, logistics, and advanced technologies.”

He expressed hope for “increasing the volume of trade, encouraging the establishment of projects through joint investment funds in a number of strategic sectors, particularly those related to renewable energy, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, space, and defense industries, as well as cooperation between our educational and training institutions to develop research and innovation in fields such as technology, healthcare, food security, and other projects. We also emphasize the importance of continuing cultural cooperation to enrich knowledge and foster civilizational encounter among peoples.”

He said, “We in the Sultanate of Oman are open to entering into a bilateral preferential trade and investment agreement with the People’s Republic of China, given our conviction that such an agreement will open new avenues for trade and investment, contribute to liberalizing and enhancing commercial and investment exchanges between the two countries, and open broader horizons for shared benefits and interests.”

He added, “We view the Belt and Road Initiative you launched, and ‘Oman Vision 2040,’ as two frameworks that provide wide opportunities for integration between the development orientations of our two countries, particularly in the fields of advanced industry, renewable energy, green hydrogen, and modern technologies.”

and the digital economy, and logistics.” Sultan Qaboos affirmed that “development and stability are inseparable, and the prosperity of peoples requires an environment characterized by security and peace, respect for the sovereignty of states and international law, resolution of disputes through peaceful means, and the redirection of resources toward construction and development.”

He added, “While we appreciate your leadership role in this regard, we call for continued coordination with the People’s Republic of China to serve our common interests and contribute to enhancing international security, stability, and cooperation, expressing our great appreciation for China’s positions on pivotal issues affecting our region.”

He reiterated “Oman’s firm stance on the One-China principle and our support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of China.”

He stated, “If the ancient Maritime Silk Roads connected the ports of our two countries and peoples, our ambition today is to extend bridges of cooperation between our institutions, economies, and research and innovation centers, and to transition our partnership from connectivity via trade routes to integration in shaping the future.”

In a joint statement following the talks, both sides urged Washington and Tehran to commit to the path of peace and to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and a swift return to the memorandum of understanding reached in Islamabad to resume negotiations and dialogue, thereby paving the way for a comprehensive agreement that includes the Iranian nuclear file.

They emphasized in this context the necessity of maintaining safe and normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, expressing their desire to maintain communication on this matter.

Regarding the Yemen file, both sides appealed to the concerned parties to prioritize the interests of the Yemeni people and commit to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, as well as to resume the political settlement process for this issue and make joint efforts to restore peace and stability, while respecting and safeguarding Yemen’s independence, unity, and territorial integrity.

Sultan Qaboos and the Chinese President witnessed the signing of one agreement and 14 memoranda of understanding and cooperation protocols.

The agreement pertains to currency exchange between the Central Bank of Oman and the People’s Bank of China. The memoranda of understanding focus on enhancing investment cooperation in green development, media and news, information exchange, science and technology, and innovation; regulatory cooperation in the fields of securities, futures, data, the digital economy, peaceful uses of outer space, space science and technology and applications, artificial intelligence, applications of the BeiDou satellite navigation system, central bank digital currencies, investment in industrial and supply chains, competition protection and anti-monopoly measures, vegetation cover development, management of natural protected areas, historical documentation, and management of documents and archives.

The protocol concerns inspection, quarantine, and health requirements for dried dates exported to China.

The Chinese President departed for a three-day “state visit” to the friendly Brunei Darussalam.