The President of China, Xi Jinping, said today that his country pays great attention to the situation in West Asia and North Africa, during a meeting in Beijing with Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al -Hamad Al-Sabah. China supports a positive role of Kuwait in regional affairs and is willing to work with countries in the region to promote political solutions to regional problems and safeguard peace and stability local, Xi said.

"China is in favor of maintaining the international nuclear non-proliferation and to establish a nuclear weapons-free zone in the Middle East," he said. China opposes any development of nuclear weapons and interference in the internal affairs of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Jaber gave Xi a letter from Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, in which he expressed his greetings to Chinese President commends their bilateral relationship.

Kuwait attaches importance to relations, and supports China on the protection of national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, as well as in combating the "three evil forces" of separatism, extremism and terrorism, Jaber said. The Kuwaiti prime minister expressed appreciation of Kuwait's firm defense of China in an objective and fair stance in the Middle East and the Gulf region. He also said he expects China to maintain its constructive role in the campaign to achieve peace and stability in the region.

The two sides agreed to cooperate in building an economic belt along the Silk Road and maritime Silk Route XXI century and boost trading in a free trade area between China and the GCC in areas such as construction infrastructure and logistics. Xi cited a proverb that is popular in both countries, which says that "a friend in times of need is a friend indeed" and noted that this is a true reflection of the China-Kuwait relations.

The Chinese president called for a strategic partnership in the area of ​​energy, characterized by cooperation covering all phases of the energy industry is established. And he also called for cooperation in new energy. China wants to work with Kuwait to raise their friendship to a new level, said Xi.

Subsequently, China's top legislator, Zhang Dejiang, also met with Jaber, and pledged to boost parliamentary exchanges between the two nations. Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, described Kuwait as an important partner in the Middle East and the Gulf region, and said the two countries have reached a broad agreement to boost bilateral cooperation during the current trip Jaber China.

As Kuwait currently holds the rotating presidency of the GCC, Zhang said he expects the country to have a positive boost China-GCC cooperation role. APN expects cement exchanges and cooperation with the National Assembly of Kuwait, promote the healthy and stable growth of bilateral ties and benefit the two peoples with the achievements of bilateral cooperation, the lawmaker said.

Jaber described his visit to China as fruitful and said that Kuwait is committed to strengthening the China-Kuwait, United Arab-China and China-GCC relations.

traslation: Belén Zapata