CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC TIES Oman, China set up strategic partnership

BEIJING: A Joint Communique between the Sultanate of Oman and China was issued on Friday on establishing strategic partnership relations. The statement reads as follows: “Since establishing diplomatic relations on May 25th 1978, the Sultanate of Oman and the People’s Republic of China agreed that the political trust between the two countries and their historic friendship relations enhanced and developed. The bilateral cooperation in energy, economy, commerce, and social dialogue sectors have resulted in remarkable achievements that bode well for the future.

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos and Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, appreciate the great progress made by the bilateral relations. Out of the actual need to develop the Omani-sino relation at the current time and the joint interest of both sides to enhance the level of bilateral relations, the leaders of both countries decided to establish strategic relations among them. This move achieves the joint interests of both countries and peoples and contribute to enhancing the development and common prosperity for both countries. In this regard, both sides are keen to give priority for cooperation in the following fields:

First: Enhancing communication and consultation between leaderships of both countries, continue permanent coordination about bilateral relations and regional and international issues of joint interest and continue expanding joint visions and deepening mutual political confidence.

Second: The two countries will exchange support in the issues related to the independence of both countries and the safety of their territories. They stress their commitment to non-interference in the internal affairs. The Sultanate of Oman reaffirms its firm commitment of One China Principle and that Taiwan is an integral part of the Chinese territories. It supports the Chinese government stance towards Taiwan issue and the issues related to Chenggang and Tibet, as well as the Southern Sea of China. China supports the Sultanate of Oman efforts aimed at maintaining sovereignty, independence, the safety of territories, national security and stability.

Third: The Sultanate expresses its welcome for the ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative and is keen on active participation in the projects of the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative. It is also keen on continuing support and participation in the ‘Belt and Road’ Forum for International Cooperation, as well as other relevant important events. China appreciates the active participation of the Sultanate of Oman in the ‘Belt and Road’.

It welcomes Oman as a partners cooperating in the building of the ‘Belt and Road’. The two sides are keen on continuing enhancing the coordination of policies and compromise between ‘Belt and Road’ initiative of China and the Omani 9th five-year development plan. The two sides are also keen on accelerating the discussions and signing cooperation documents related to building ‘Belt and Road’ initiative.

Fourth: The two countries believe that cooperation in the productive energy and investment is an important component for practical cooperation between the two sides. The two sides will enhance compromise among development strategies and utilizing their benefits. The two sides will continue enhancing cooperation in production and investment fields while complying with the guiding role for the government and the main role for the companies, as well as the guiding role for the market and commercial principles. They will give priority to energy development, resources, chemical industries, processing industries and marine industries. They will make the Chinese Industrial Zone in the Omani Duqm Zone as an important framework for promoting practical cooperation between the two countries to new levels.

Fifth: Full utilization for the integrative benefits between the two countries in economy, commerce and continue to utilize the role of the mechanism for the joint economic and commercial committee between the two countries. They will expand the existing cooperation to achieve the different forms of mutual benefits in the infrastructure, industrial parks, logistic parks, railway, ports, power generation plants and others. They will also enhance the comprehensive development of the economic and commercial relations between the two countries.

Sixth: The two countries consider energy cooperation as an important pillar for practical cooperation between the two countries. Both sides support more cooperation between the companies in both countries in crude oil trade, exploration, development of oil and natural gas resources, engineering and refining services, petrochemicals fields and others. They also support enhancing cooperation in new and renewable energy fields.

Seventh: The two countries are keen to push forward financial cooperation and are supporting considering the possibility of cooperation in the field of currency and utilizing the role of the local currency in trade and investment between the two sides. They also encourage financial institutions of both countries to achieve mutual benefit of its work and open branch offices at the other side. The two sides also promote harmonization of financial services and provision of financial support for trade and investment cooperation between them.

Eighth: The two countries are keen to carry out human and cultural communication and enhance cooperation in education, health, scientific research, tourism, information, youth and sports and aviation spheres. They are keen on promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. The Chinese side is keen to provide more opportunities for Omani students to complete their studies in China and support teaching Chinese in the Sultanate of Oman. Both sides confirm their readiness to positively consider opening the Chinese Cultural Center in the Sultanate of Oman.

Ninth: The two countries are keen to strengthen communication and cooperation in law enforcement, security and counter-terrorism, and intensify the exchange of intelligence, information, technical cooperation and personnel training.

Tenth: The two Countries are keen to make joint efforts to promote the establishment of the free trade zone between China and GCC as soon as possible. They are also keen to enhance communication and coordination within the framework of the Arab-chinese Cooperation Forum. They are also keen on developing collective cooperation between China, the GCC and Arab countries.

Eleventh: The two countries agree that the Sultanate of Oman and China share broad common interests in many important regional and international issues and will enhance coordination and cooperation in the United Nations and other international organizations and other multi party forums. Both sides stress that the issue of UN Security Council reform requires consensus of all Member States and move in a balanced manner to reach the widest possible consensus and reach a solution with one package. The two sides also support a peaceful solution to the hot issues in the region through dialogue and political negotiation.

The Sultanate appreciates China’s just position and its important role in the region’s affairs.

China also supports the active role of the Sultanate in the affairs of the region.

The bilateral cooperation in energy, economy, commerce, and social dialogue sectors have resulted in remarkable achievements that bode well for the future