BEIJING (Reuters): China’s foreign minister has pressed the Gulf Cooperation Council to conclude long-running talks on a free trade agreement with China, attributing the urgency to rising protectionism and unilateralism as free trade comes “under attack”, according to a Monday statement from the ministry.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on a three-nation tour in the Middle East that began in the United Arab Emirates and is expected to end in Jordan. He met GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi in Riyadh on Sunday, when he also met top Saudi officials separately.
“The talks have lasted for more than 20 years, and conditions for all aspects are basically mature, it is time to make a final decision,” he said during a meeting with Albudaiwi, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.
A successful FTA will send a “strong signal to the world about defending multilateralism,” Wang said, adding that China was supportive of the bloc strengthening its strategic autonomy and coordination, and advancing its integration process.
China has interests in deepening cooperation in economy, trade, investment and other fields with the GCC as well, Wang said.
