H E Zhou Jian
When the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani visited China in 2014, we signed the MoU for Belt and Road cooperation, and Qatar has become one of the first countries to join the “Belt and Road” initiative. Over the past six years, our cooperation under the “Belt and Road” initiative has been prosperous and fruitful,” H E the Chinese Ambassador said while talking on a High-level Video Conference on Belt and Road International Cooperation.
The High-level Video Conference on Belt and Road International Cooperation was successfully held in Beijing on June 18. President Xi Jinping sent a written address to the conference. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the meeting.
Ministers from 25 Asian, African and European countries, Director-General of WHO Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Administrator of the UNDP Achim Steiner attended the meeting. The Joint Statement of the High-level Video Conference on Belt and Road International Cooperation: Combating COVID-19 with Solidarity was issued after the conference.
He said that trade volume between China and Qatar has been increasing year by year, reaching $11 billion in 2019. “Our cooperation has formed a mature pattern with energy as the core, infrastructure as the key, finance and investment as new starting point. In the next stage, we wish to work closer together with our Qatari friends, and jointly promote the high-quality development of our Belt and Road cooperation.”
“First is to build a road of health security. Facing this unprecedented public health disaster, the cooperation and friendship between China and Qatar has become an example of international health cooperation. We will continue to step up health cooperation in epidemic prevention and control. Recently, Dr. Zhong Nanshan, member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the top expert of Chinese medical team in combating COVID-19, invited to hold a video conference with the Ministry of Public Health, for in-depth exchanges on diagnosis and treatment with Qatari experts.”
He added: “We will to continue to provide fast channels for Qatar to purchase and import of medical supplies from China, especially the raw materials that could help Qatar to improve production capacity of medical supplies such as masks and other medical supplies. We will also continue to work with Qatar in joint prevention and control, enhance information sharing, together to build a community of shared future for health security between our two countries.”
“Second is to build a road of recovery. Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has completely controlled the pandemic domestically, and took the lead in the resumption of production and work. China’s economy are stepping up pace to return to normal, and the economic vitality have been rapidly released. We are also pleased to see that under the wise leadership of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar’s work to combat COVID-19 has made positive progress. With the four-phase lifting-up policies, lives of Qatari people are gradually returning to normal, production and work are being resumed, and the entire society revitalized.”
In the next stage, he said, China will work closely with Qatar to promote connectivity, together to build a “fast track” in personnel exchanges and a “green channel” of bilateral trade, so as to provide a solid ground for economic recovery of our two countries. “We will strengthen policy coordination with Qatar and balance epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, while keep steady pace of key “Belt and Road” projects such as the Lusail Stadium. Meanwhile, China will seek for innovations in bilateral cooperation in the field of “non-contact economy” such as remote medical service, online education, 5G, big data and other “infrastructure of new generation”, and inject new strength into the sustainable development of “Belt and Road” cooperation between our two countries.”
“Third is to build a road of cooperation. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, China has been actively working to advance international cooperation, sharing experience, sending medical teams and supplies to countries around the world. Qatar has also played an active role in this regard. H H the Amir has announced Qatar’s pledge of $20 million contributions to support Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization. Qatar has to date provided medical supplies to more than 20 countries and donated $140 million to international platforms, and continue to help countries to withdraw their citizens back home. China highly appreciates Qatar’s involvement and contributions.”
For the next step, the Ambassador said, China will join Qatar to support global research work of vaccines and the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries. “We will work closely with the Qatari side to provide assistance to developing countries around the world. We wish to strengthen cooperation with Qatar to help countries with weaker health systems to build up their response ability. We will also play a leading role along with Qatar in coordinating global epidemic response and explores to establish regional emergency communication mechanisms.”
“Fourth is to build a road of development. The Belt and Road cooperation between China and Qatar has brought tangible benefits to our peoples. Energy is the cornerstone of bilateral cooperation. Qatar has become China’s 2nd largest exporter of LNG products. Two months ago, the Chinese side has signed a $3 billion contract in LNG ship project with Qatari counterparts. Chinese companies have undertaken many major projects in Qatar, such as the Lusail Stadium and strategic water reserve. Financial investment and high-tech cooperation are new growing points. The Bank of China (BOC) and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) are the two largest financial branches in QFC in terms of total assets, providing more than 70% of loans to support local enterprises. Huawei Company has also contributed in the first 5G commercial networks in Qatar.”
In the long run, the Ambassador said: “We wish to strengthen the integration of “Belt and Road” initiative with the Qatar’s “2030 National Vision” strategy, forging a “four-pillar” of China-Qatar pragmatic cooperation featuring energy, infrastructure, financial investment, and high-tech. China will deepen our energy cooperation and expand LNG trade, taking full advantages of the complementarities in supply and demand between our two countries, and explore further cooperation in both the upstream and downstream field of the entire industry chain.”
“We could also explore third-party cooperation in this regard. In terms of infrastructure, the Chinese side will complete the construction of major projects with the top quality and speed, we will also encourage more Chinese high-tech enterprises to join QFZ projects, supporting Qatar’s economic development and diversification. As for financial investment, China will strengthen financial connections between our two countries, expand the use of RMB settlement in Qatar, and support more Chinese companies to invest in Qatar. We also warmly welcome Qatari companies to invest in the Chinese market.”
He added: “China will also enhance our high-tech cooperation, where we can participate in Qatar’s projects such as 5G, big data, smart railway, and contribute China’s wisdom for Qatar to in the development of digital economy and smart cities.”
“Sun rises after thunderstorms. China firmly believed that as long as we uphold the principle of building a community of shared future, and forge ahead on a road of unity, cooperation and win-win relationship, we can eventually defeat the pandemic together and further enhance our Belt and Road cooperation with high quality outcomes. This will bring China and Qatar endless impetus to achieve our development goals and promote the sustainable development of the world economy.”
H E Zhou Jian The Ambassador of People’s Republic of China to Qatar
