Kuwait, China deepen military ties; ammunition factory with Chinese cooperation to open soon in Kuwait

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defense Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Mishaal Al-Sabah has confirmed that Kuwait-China military relations are a cornerstone of its defense partnerships with friendly nations.

He announced that a joint ammunition manufacturing facility for light and medium calibers is nearing completion and set to open soon, as part of broader cooperative projects with China.

Al-Sabah made these remarks during a ceremony hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait marking the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), attended by senior military and diplomatic officials.

He emphasized that the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense’s participation in this event reflects the depth and strength of bilateral military ties, which continue to grow significantly year after year. He also highlighted cooperation on major infrastructure projects in Kuwait, such as Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port and national housing initiatives.

Al-Sabah noted the ongoing expansion of joint military training programs between the Kuwaiti and Chinese armies, reaffirming that Kuwait’s defense strategy is based on deepening ties with Gulf and Arab allies, while also cultivating robust defense partnerships with countries across both the East and West.

On the topic of defense industry development and modernization, he stressed that Kuwait-China relations remain a strategic pillar for the Kuwaiti military’s defense agreements in the region. Since 1991, Kuwait’s defense diplomacy with major global powers has revolved around two key pillars: formal defense agreements and memorandums of understanding, as well as arms procurement contracts.

Liu Xiang, Chargé d’Affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait, affirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Kuwait across multiple sectors—especially in defense. He praised Kuwait’s balanced and constructive regional role.

In his speech, Liu expressed appreciation for Kuwait’s strong support for China’s global initiatives, including the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, which have received explicit backing from Kuwait’s leadership. He emphasized China’s aspiration to build a shared future with Kuwait based on multilateralism and respect for the UN-led international order.

Liu also welcomed the embassy’s new defense attaché, Brigadier General Liu Zong Chen, citing his regional experience and expressing confidence in his role to further boost bilateral defense ties.

Brigadier General Liu Zong Chen, the newly appointed Chinese Defense Attaché, stated that Kuwait-China military relations are advancing into a more sophisticated phase, with growing collaboration in training, military exchanges, and defense industry projects.

In his address, Liu praised the historic diplomatic relationship, recalling that Kuwait was the first Gulf country to establish diplomatic ties with China. He described current bilateral relations as being at their strongest, driven by mutual political understanding and practical cooperation across multiple sectors.

He explained that under President Xi Jinping’s directives, the Chinese military is being developed into a world-class force that values peace and opposes domination, actively contributing to UN peacekeeping missions, maritime security, and humanitarian relief efforts worldwide.

Liu Xiang highlighted the importance of learning from the past to build a stable and secure future. Quoting Chinese President Xi Jinping, he said, “War is like a mirror—reflecting on it helps us appreciate the value of peace.”

He stressed that both China and Kuwait have endured the tragedies of war and now share a commitment to building a more peaceful and cooperative world.