Leaders of China and Kuwait have pledged to further expand their friendship and boost cooperation of the two nations, especially in areas such as investment, trade infrastructure construction and finance.

Premier Li Keqiang of China and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah made the commitment to enhance cooperation and partnership during the Prime Minister's visit in China last Tuesday.

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"China is ready to enhance high-level interactions and expand political mutual trust with Kuwait in order to bring the bilateral relationship to a new height," Li said, as he hailed China and Kuwait as loyal friends and sincere partners.

It was Li who opened the idea of expanding the China-Kuwait cooperation in finance, investment, trade, infrastructure and other areas as he expressed hopes that Kuwait will also open the country's upstream oil and gas industry to Chinese investors.

The Chinese premier also made a suggestion on increased people-to-people exchanges in order to promote mutual understanding and further enhance coordination in global and regional affairs.

During the meeting in Beijing, Li also urged Kuwait to assist China in the resumption and completion of the free trade agreement (FTA) talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which is considered by China as an important partner.

The GCC includes Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. The first round of the China-GCC FTA talks began in July 2004 but it stalled in 2009 after five rounds.

The visiting Kuwaiti Prime Minister said his country is ready to expand high-level visits between the two nations and boost cooperation in several areas for shared development.

After their meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several bilateral deals between China and Kuwait. The deals involved aviation, energy, finance, and trade.

Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah is in Beijing for a four-day official visit at Li's invitation.

TagsChina-Kuwait Partnership, China Kuwait Cooperation, Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah