China keen on boosting energy ties with Gulf states

China is committed to improving the mechanism of energy dialogue with the GCC countries and explore new ways and modalities for energy co-operation, the ‘Enriching the Middle East’s Economic Future Conference’ was told yesterday.
“We will work with GCC countries to further facilitate dialogue and exchanges between energy producers and consumers to increase mutual understanding, narrow differences and safeguard the stability and development of the global energy market,” China’s former ambassador to Lebanon, Liu Xianghua said.
Observing that the Gulf region is an important link in the global supply chain, she stated that security and development of the region was closely linked with all Asian countries, which should give more attention to and do more for the region.
“All countries in the Gulf region and Asia at large ought to put in long-term efforts to uphold regional security and resolve hot-spot issues so as to ensure lasting peace and common prosperity,” Xianghua said.
Strengthening regional economic co-operation based on equality and mutual benefit, facilitating dialogue among civilisations and achieving common progress were among the measures suggested by her.
With regard to China’s growing trade with the six GCC countries, the speaker pointed out that in 2006 it totalled $44.9bn, accounting for 70% of the total trade with Arab countries.

Gulf Times