Oman's Sultan and Chinese President Discuss Strengthening Strategic Cooperation

Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said held an extensive round of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, during his first-ever visit to China.

The Oman News Agency reported that the session discussed existing areas of cooperation between the two countries and ways to enhance them, particularly in the sectors of technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, energy, renewable energy, manufacturing, logistics, digital trade, food security, and the enhancement of integration between economic zones and ports.

During the session, the Omani Sultan emphasized the depth of relations with China, reiterating his country’s direct support for developing these ties, which have seen rapid growth in recent years in economic, commercial, and investment fields.

The Sultan noted that Omani-Chinese relations have experienced continuous positive development, pointing out that direct investments by Chinese companies in the Sultanate, in partnership with the Oman Investment Authority, have exceeded 33 billion Chinese yuan in recent years. He added that the scope of partnership has expanded to include energy, industry, infrastructure, logistics, and advanced technologies.

He further stated that the Sultanate views this development as a qualitative shift in the nature of economic relations between the two countries, emphasizing that the partnership with China is “based on the exchange of expertise, joint investment, building productive capacities, and developing knowledge- and technology-based industries.”

For his part, the Chinese President said that his country views expanding and deepening relations with the Sultanate of Oman as a shared strategic choice for both nations, adding that bilateral relations stand at a “new historical starting point.”

Xi told the Omani Sultan, “I am ready to work with you to elevate the strategic partnership between China and Oman to a higher level, better serve the peoples of our two countries, and contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.”

The Chinese President also affirmed his country’s readiness to enhance communication and coordination with Arab countries and to work together to restore peace and stability in the region as soon as possible, stating, “The Middle East and the Gulf region should not become a battleground for competition among major powers and geopolitical conflicts.”

He considered that peace and stability in the region require joint care and protection by all parties, noting that China will continue to advocate for resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means.

The Omani Sultan began a two-day state visit to China on Sunday. On Friday, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the visit marks the first by an Omani Sultan to China since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries 48 years ago, and the first by Haitham bin Tariq since he assumed power in January 2020.

The visit comes in response to an invitation from the Chinese President, with the aim of enhancing and developing cooperative relations between the two countries across various fields, according to a previous statement from the Diwan of Royal Court Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman.

Oman and China established diplomatic relations on May 25, 1978, and announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between them in May 2018.