GCC and China sign deal to boost cooperation

Beijing: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China have agreed a plan to improve ties.

In a final statement at the conclusion of a one-day session of the Third GCC-China Strategic Dialogue, the two sides underlined their desire to continue coordination and cooperation with the aim of strengthening the Sino-GCC relationship.

They agreed to work towards a strategic partnership through solid dialogue and trust and signed the plan of action for the years 2014-17, which would boost the cooperation in the political, economic, trade, energy, environment protection, climate change, culture, education, health and sport fields.

The two sides agreed to establish a free trade zone that would benefit both sides and said that they looked forward to resuming negotiations on the issue.

The dialogue was co-chaired by Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shaikh Sabah Khalid Al Hamad Al Sabah and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.