Your Excellency Mr. Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.
At the outset, I am pleased to express our pleasure and welcome the holding of the first ministerial meeting between the GCC countries and the People's Republic of China within the framework of the strategic dialogue between the two sides, hoping that this meeting will be a major step in promoting the development of friendly relations and fruitful cooperation between the two sides, and I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to the Government of the friendly Republic of China for its hospitality and warm reception.
On behalf of the GCC countries, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the victims of the earthquake that struck Qinghai Province last April.
I am also pleased to congratulate the Chinese people and government on the opening of the World Expo 2010, which will be hosted by the city of Shanghai.
Your Excellencies, Excellencies, Friends...
Our meeting today at the opening of the first session of the strategic dialogue between the GCC countries and the People's Republic of China acquires special importance at this stage in which the world is witnessing rapid transformations towards strengthening large economic blocs, which calls for consolidating the bonds of joint cooperation among countries and international groups to work towards achieving mutual interests, especially since the Republic of China is a major friendly country with an influential presence on the international arena in various fields.
In this regard, we emphasize our strong condemnation of the Israeli attack on the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla, which is a clear crime against humanity and a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law, and we call on the international community to stand up to its responsibilities towards investigating this terrorist act, expressing our full appreciation for the Chinese position in denouncing and condemning this crime.
We also cherish the close historical relations with China in various fields of common interest, especially in the field of economic and trade cooperation, where trade relations between the two sides have grown significantly over the past three decades, which has directly contributed to the increase in the volume of trade exchange, stressing the importance of activating cooperation in trade and investment aspects stipulated in the framework agreement signed between the two sides in 2004.
The exchange of experiences and expertise in priority economic areas such as trade, industry, investment, energy and information technology, especially in light of the huge economic potential and promising opportunities on both sides, will achieve a unique cooperation that contributes to the success and development of the GCC-China Partnership Project.
Political harmony and economic integration have become among the most important strategic objectives that we seek through this dialogue to jointly face the various regional and international challenges. The GCC countries support everything that would strengthen economic diplomacy along with political diplomacy with various countries of the world and international blocs, including the People's Republic of China, because we believe that economy and politics are the cornerstone on which international relations are based.
In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm that the GCC countries welcome and are always ready to discuss and coordinate with our friends in the People's Republic of China in order to reach our common goal of supporting everything that would contribute to enhancing the aspects of cooperation between the two sides.
Peace be upon you.