Qatar, China discuss regional de-escalation, Strait of Hormuz security
Sheikh Mohammed and Wang Yi review bilateral ties, diplomatic efforts and the need to safeguard freedom of navigation
BEIJING, Sep 8: Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Tuesday, with discussions centred on bilateral cooperation, regional tensions and diplomatic efforts to promote peace and stability.
According to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting covered ways to expand cooperation between Doha and Beijing across several sectors, alongside the latest regional and international developments.
The two sides also stressed the importance of maintaining security and freedom of international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important maritime passage for global energy supplies.
Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed Qatar’s full support for diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing tensions and finding a solution that guarantees freedom of maritime navigation while creating the conditions for a comprehensive agreement capable of delivering lasting peace in the region.
He said Qatar remained keen to take its partnership with China to a broader level and strengthen cooperation in accordance with the shared interests and objectives of both countries and their peoples.
Following the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed described his discussions with Wang as “fruitful”. He said the two officials reviewed bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments and expressed a desire to work together in support of international peace and security.
Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said relations between China and Qatar had made considerable progress in recent years under the strategic guidance of the two countries’ leadership.
He said Beijing firmly supports Qatar in protecting its sovereignty, independence, security and stability, while expressing confidence that Doha would continue supporting China on matters concerning its core interests.
“China is the most reliable and long-term partner in Qatar’s development process,” Wang said, adding that Beijing was prepared to maintain close communication and cooperation with Doha on regional and international issues.
Sheikh Mohammed reiterated Qatar’s commitment to the one-China principle and opposition to external interference in China’s internal affairs.
He also expressed Qatar’s willingness to deepen communication and coordination with Beijing through the United Nations and other multilateral platforms, while backing multilateralism, international peace and common development.
The Beijing meeting comes as Qatar, together with Pakistan, continues efforts to facilitate diplomacy between Washington and Tehran amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
On Monday, Sheikh Mohammed met Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing. Li voiced China’s support for Doha’s mediation efforts aimed at helping address the continuing conflict.
The discussions with Li also covered prospects for expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, technology and the wider economy, with both sides seeking to strengthen existing partnerships in areas of mutual interest.
