Kuwait and China mark 55 years of diplomatic relations, reaffirm strategic partnership

By Shouq AlMulla
Special to The Times Kuwait

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Kuwait celebrated the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the State of Kuwait at a reception held alongside the launch of the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival celebrations. The event was attended by H.E. Ambassador Sameeh Johar Hayat, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs of Kuwait, members of the diplomatic corps, and senior officials.

H.E. Yang Xin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Kuwait, highlighted Kuwait’s pioneering role in the bilateral relationship describing that bilateral relations as entering a new phase of accelerated development across economic, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges, noting the long-standing work of the Chinese medical team in Kuwait, cultural exchanges through Al-Arabi magazine, and the recent opening of the first Chinese Cultural Center in the Gulf region.

He further elaborated by saying that “Kuwait was the first country in the Gulf to establish diplomatic relations with China. It was also the first Gulf country to sign the Belt and Road Initiative and to support President Xi Jinping’s Global Initiatives in the region. I believe that in the coming years, relations between Kuwait and China will continue to grow closer and stronger as we advance major joint projects, including Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port and other upcoming projects.

For his part Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs H.E. Sameeh Johar Hayat conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to President Xi Jinping, along with best wishes for continued progress and prosperity for the Chinese people. He also extended greetings from Kuwait’s Foreign Minister, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to H.E. Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China.

Hayat said that the relations are advancing steadily across all fields, particularly in the implementation of major development projects. This momentum followed the visit of His Highness the Amir to China, during which seven agreements were signed. We are now seeing those agreements translated into action, beginning with work on Mubarak Port and the signing this month of the North Kabd wastewater treatment project, to be followed by additional initiatives.

Kuwaiti–Chinese relations started with a key milestone visit in February 1965, when the late Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, then Minister of Finance, Oil, Trade, and Industry, visited China, laying the foundation for early economic and political cooperation, paving the way for the establishment of formal diplomatic relations on March 22, 1971, making Kuwait the first Gulf Arab state to forge ties with China. The relationship was further strengthened in 1990, when China supported Kuwait’s sovereignty and endorsed United Nations Security Council resolutions following the Iraqi invasion.

Economic ties remain central to bilateral relations. Kuwait is currently China’s fifth-largest supplier of crude oil, while China has been Kuwait’s largest trading partner for eight consecutive years. Bilateral trade has grown from USD 22 million in the early years to USD 18.58 billion in 2025.

Kuwait was also the first Middle Eastern country to sign a cooperation document under China’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2014. Relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the 2018 state visit of the late His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to China.

In September 2023, His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, then Crown Prince, visited China and signed seven memoranda of understanding covering infrastructure, renewable energy, and environmental governance. The visit of H.E. Han Zheng, Vice President of China, to Kuwait in November 2025 marked further progress in strategic coordination and joint development projects.

Looking ahead, Kuwait will participate at the highest levels in the upcoming Arab–China and GCC–China summits in June and aims to host the third Arab–GCC–China Summit in 2030. Officials emphasized that the partnership is built on mutual respect, shared interests, and practical cooperation continues to evolve, supporting regional stability and sustainable development.