RIYADH — Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf has highlighted the importance of enhancing GCC-Chinese relations to serve common interests.

Dr. Al-Hajraf made the remarks on the occasion of his official visit to China upon an invitation from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The secretary-general expressed his hope that the visit would contribute to enhancing GCC-Chinese relations, and discussing cooperation aspects in fields of common interests in light of the framework agreement for economic, investment and technical cooperation signed between the GCC and China in June 2004 in Beijing, as well as the memorandum of understanding both sides signed in 2010.

He also said the visit constitutes an opportunity to review the aspects of GCC-Chinese cooperation and further enhance friendly relations in a way that serves joint interests and boosts security and stability, in addition to going through the free trade negotiation file between the GCC and China, as well as preparing for the 10th negotiation stage and enhance bilateral opportunities in all fields, especially with China being the first commercial partner to the GCC. — SPA