Enhancing Development Prospects: Kuwait-China MoUs in Focus

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Talks lay foundation for Vision ’24-’40

HANGZHOU, Sept 23, (KUNA): His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Chinese President Xi Jinping held summit talks at the West Lake in Hangzhou, China, on Friday. His Highness the Crown Prince conveyed greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and extended an official invitation for President Xi to visit the State of Kuwait. The two leaders discussed the historic bilateral relations which dated back to over 50 years and means of further strengthening them with the objective of boosting prosperity of the two peoples, and contribute to progress and development. The two leaders also discussed the desire to cement the strategic partnership between Kuwait and China, in addition to exchanging views over a host of regional and international development. The talks were held in an amicable atmosphere which reflected the spirit of understanding and friendship between the two countries and their desire to promote cooperation in all domains. The official talks were attended by the official delegation accompanying His Highness the Crown Prince. Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Chinese President Xi Jinping witnessed signing of cooperation agreements in guest house at the West Lake in Hangzhou, China, on Friday. The two sides signed a joint statement regarding a cooperation plan for years 2024-28. It was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Wang Yi, member of the Communist Party politburo, Director of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Communist Partys Central Committee and Foreign Minister. Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Sabah signed an MoU with the National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Zheng Shanjie regarding a low-carbon recycling green system. Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Sabah and Zheng also signed an MoU between Ministry of Public Works and the National Development and Reform Commission regarding infrastructure of water treatment stations.

Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr. Jassem Al-Ostad signed an MoU with the national energy department, which was represented by Zheng regarding the power systems and renewable energy. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Oil and Minister of State for Economic affairs and investment Dr. Saad Al-Barrak signed an MoU with Minister of Transport Li Xiaopeng regarding Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port.

The Foreign Minister represented the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) and signed an MoU with Chinese Minister of Trade Wang Wentao regarding economic and free zones. Minister of State for Housing Affairs signed an MoU between the Public Authority for Housing Welfare and Chinese ministry of trade regarding housing development. China was represented by Minister Wang. Memoranda of understanding signed by Kuwait and China during His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabahs visit will have a positive impact on development in Kuwait, Kuwait’s top diplomat said Saturday. State of Kuwait and China signed yesterday seven MoUs in a ceremony attended by His Highness the Crown Prince and Chinese President Xi Jinping. “We witnessed the signing of seven MoUs dealing with huge construction projects that include Chinese companies in Kuwait, among them are housing cities and renewable energy,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said in a statement to KUNA and Kuwait TV.

He elaborated that MoUs also dealt with water treatment and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port. “These are development projects and will contribute to the development of the State of Kuwait,” added Sheikh Salem while talking about outcome of the visit so far. The projects, he added, “will have huge impact on the State of Kuwait and I believe they are projects that will indeed have direct and positive impact on our people.” Speaking about the meeting between His Highness the Crown Prince and President Xi, Sheikh Salem said the talks were very “positive and productive,” describing the atmosphere of the summit talks as “very amicable.” He said the two leaders discussed the history of the bilateral relations and how to develop them further.

“President Xi talked a lot about the history of China-Kuwait relations and highly appreciated the fact Kuwait was the first Gulf country to establish relations with Beijing in 1971, as well as the role of Kuwait Fund in offering loans to China in 1980s which contributed to projects in China,” he said. The two leaders agreed to further cement relations and cooperation to higher levels, said the foreign minister, who noted this was the second meeting between His Highness the Crown Prince and President Xi since last December in Saudi Arabia. Yesterday, the two countries signed a joint statement regarding a cooperation plan for years 2024-28. It was signed by Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Wang Yi, member of the Communist Party politburo, Director of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Communist Partys Central Committee and Foreign Minister.

Sheikh Salem signed an MoU with the National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Zheng Shanjie regarding a low-carbon recycling green system. Sheikh Salem and Zheng also signed an MoU between Ministry of Public Works and the National Development and Reform Commission regarding infrastructure of water treatment stations. Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr. Jassem Al-Ostad signed an MoU with the national energy department, which was represented by Zheng regarding the power systems and renewable energy. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Oil and Minister of State for Economic affairs and investment Dr. Saad Al-Barrak signed an MoU with Minister of Transport Li Xiaopeng regarding Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port. The Foreign Minister represented the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) and signed an MoU with Chinese Minister of Trade Wang Wentao regarding economic and free zones.

Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Faleh Al-Rquba signed an MoU between the Public Authority for Housing Welfare and Chinese ministry of trade regarding housing development. China was represented by Minister Wang. His Highness the Crown Prince held summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and “we should make very good use of this important meeting to develop the foundation of Kuwait vision 2035 to be 2024-40,” Saad Al-Barrak, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Oil and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investments, said in a statement to KUNA after the talks and singing of cooperation agreements.

The vision, he explained, “would be an extension of the same spirit in order overcome the political and economic developments that took place in the past three years like the coronavirus pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine.” Al-Barrak said he signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese side, part of seven MoUs, regarding the completion of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port. “Around 50 percent of the first phase of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port is completed and we seek to finalize the first phase in order to launch and operate the port as swift as possible,” he said. “China excels in construction and other domains like management and operation of the port, so we have signed the MoU and will continue the talks on execution,” he said.

Al-Barrak also said Minister of Justice and Minister of Housing Affairs Faleh Al-Rquba signed an MoU over construction of housing cities, while Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr. Jassem Al-Ostad signed an MoU to establish a solar power station. Minister of Foreing Affairs Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah signed MoUs in many vital domains, noted Al-Barrak. Al-Barrak said meanwhile Kuwait and China shared “wonderful history,” which began when Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah visited China when he was a Finance Minister in 1965, to the establishment of relations in 1971, when Kuwait was the first Gulf country to have relations with the People’s Republic. Al-Barrak also commended China’s support to Kuwait’s just causes, especially during the Iraqi invasion and occupation in 1990-91.

Housing
Kuwait’s Minister of State for Housing Affairs Faleh Al-Rquba said Saturday a memorandum of understanding signed with China would contribute to development of housing cities. Al-Rquba, also Minister of Justice, said in a statement Kuwait would benefit from the Chinese expertise through the MoU that he signed yesterday during a ceremony attended by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Al-Rquba signed the housing development MoU with Minister of Trade Wang Wentao. “The MoU will boost cooperation through work teams, exchange of visits and exchange of technical details,” he said, with the objective of creating strategic cooperation to develop housing projects.

The MoU would pave way for development of advanced housing cities as part of the government plans to provide housing care for citizens. The MoU that Al-Rguba signed was part of seven MoUs inked between the State of Kuwait and China. On Saturday, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah attended a luncheon held by Chinese President Xi Jinping, honoring the heads of State and other prominent leaders and figures invited to the inauguration ceremony of the 19th Asian Olympic Games in the Chinese city of Hangzhu. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabahs attendance of 19th Asian Games opening ceremony at invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping reflects solid bilateral relations, a sport official said.

The invitation extended to His Highness the Crown Prince “is an excellent initiative,” Chairman of Kuwait Olympic Committee Sheikh Fahad Nasser Al-Sabah said in a statement to KUNA Saturday, as His Highness the Crown Prince was the only Gulf leader to attend the opening ceremony. He said His Highness the Crown Princes meeting with the Kuwaiti athletes taking part in the competitions was a great motivation, as well as making sure that they represent their country in the best way possible. Participation of His Highness the Crown Prince “gives a boost to relations and cooperation between China and State of Kuwait” and constitutes a source of pride for Kuwait Olympic Committee and the athletes. Regarding preparations of the athletes, Sheikh Fahad noted that the Asian Games were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic and the Olympic committee made sure to prepare the athletes through sending them to training camps abroad. He said Kuwait would be participating in football and handball games, as well as individual competitions. He also voiced confidence the athletes would accomplish good results.

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