Wuxi, 14 January 2022 (TDI): The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states recently issued a joint statement with China, devising a new strategic framework to increase trade and strengthen ties between both sides.

Boosting energy ties with a possible free trade agreement with free trade zones were also discussed. The talks, which were hosted by China earlier this week featured GCC Secretary-General Nayef bin Falah Al-Hajraf and the Foreign Ministers of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain.

The central point of discussion was to establish a geo-economic strategic partnership between both sides with China acting as a neutral economic partner for continued prosperity. Both sides also talked about cooperating in areas including energy, agriculture, and technology.

“The visit is vitally important, and it may lead to positive results for a China-GCC FTA after negotiations started in 2004.” – Li Shaoxian, director of the China Institute for Arab Studies at Ningxia University

Both sides have held five rounds of talks leading up to dialogue in Wuxi. Since 2012, China has been the largest export market for the GCC. Economic and bilateral ties have increased significantly as each member has joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

According to the United States Department of Commerce, by 2030 China will be able to purchase nearly 80% of the total output of oil and related products by the GCC.

A partnership such as this is extremely beneficial to the GCC members as the United States has decreased its investment in the Middle East over the last couple of years.

Collective economic growth is a priority for both China and the GCC. The alignment of calculated priorities with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait proves just that.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

The Gulf Cooperation Council is a regional intragovernmental political and economic union that consists of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

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