Kuwait minister seeks Chinese partnership to complete Mubarak Port and Al-Shagaya projects

• Nora Al-Fassam, Finance Minister and Minister of State for Economic and Investment Affairs and Acting Oil Minister, said the strategic partnership and close cooperation between Kuwait and China are strengthened by the Belt and Road Initiative and other joint agreements.

• His Excellency Zhang Jianwei, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kuwait, emphasized that China and Kuwait are steadfast partners, with Kuwait being the first Gulf Arab nation to establish diplomatic ties with China and noted that both sides are actively working to implement key agreements and advance major projects, including Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port.

• The two successful meetings between President Xi Jinping and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah have injected strong momentum into the future growth of Sino-Kuwaiti relations in this new era, said the Chinese ambassador.

Finance Minister Nora Al-Fassam, the Minister of State for Economic and Investment Affairs and acting Oil Minister, stated that Kuwait and China’s 53-year-long strategic partnership and close cooperation have made China “Kuwait’s largest trading partner.”

Minister Nora Al-Fassam added, in a speech during the ceremony organized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Republic, that the strategic partnership and close cooperation between Kuwait and China are strengthened by the Belt and Road Initiative and other joint agreements.

She expressed her eagerness to work with China in the near future to complete several key projects, particularly Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port and Al-Shagaya Renewable Energy, which contribute to the state’s development vision and the aspirations of its political leadership.

His Excellency Zhang Jianwei, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, echoed similar sentiments, stating that China and Kuwait are friendly nations and steadfast partners, with Kuwait being the first Gulf Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with China. He added that bilateral relations have always been at the forefront of China’s regional ties. Currently, both sides are working diligently to implement key agreements between their leaders and advance major cooperative projects, including Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port.

In his speech during the ceremony, he highlighted two successful meetings between President Xi Jinping and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-JaberAl-Sabah, which have injected strong momentum into the future growth of Sino-Kuwaiti relations in this new era. He noted that both sides are actively implementing key agreements between their leaderships and have been pushing forward major cooperative projects, including the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project.

He added that China will continue to approach the world and the future with openness and is ready to work with friends in Kuwaiti society to elevate bilateral relations to new heights.

The Chinese ambassador highlighted that, over the past 75 years, China has achieved remarkable milestones, becoming the largest country in manufacturing, commodity trade, and foreign exchange reserves. China has also built the world’s longest high-speed rail and highway networks, developed the largest number of 5G base stations, and accounts for over fifty percent of the world’s new energy vehicles.

He added that, during this time, the Communist Party of China has united with the Chinese people across all nationalities to pursue the Chinese dream. This effort has successfully transformed China from a poor nation into the world’s second-largest economy, marking a significant leap in its national strength and prosperity.

He added that China’s economy grew from $30 billion to $17.8 trillion last year. China has made remarkable achievements, becoming the largest country in terms of manufacturing, commodity trade, and foreign exchange reserves.

China has also built the world’s longest high-speed rail and highway networks, has the largest number of 5G base stations, and possesses more than 50% of the world’s new energy-powered vehicles.

Living standards in China

Over the past 75 years, living standards in China have significantly improved. The country has built the world’s largest education, social security, and healthcare systems, and life expectancy has risen from 35 to 78 years. The Chinese people now enjoy a much stronger sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security.

$380 billion invested through “Belt and Road” initiative

Ambassador Jianwei stated that China has contributed over 30 percent to global growth for several consecutive years. Since the launch of the “Belt and Road” initiative a decade ago, cumulative two-way investment between China and participating countries has exceeded $380 billion. He highlighted China’s contributions to the development of photovoltaic and other green energy technologies and the export of new-energy vehicles, accelerating global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

“The world will be better when China thrives”

Regarding the Middle East, the ambassador noted that China has played a key role in facilitating historic reconciliations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as between fourteen Palestinian factions, injecting positive energy into the region’s stability.

He emphasized China’s opposition to false statements promoting civilizational superiority and its defense of cultural diversity, strongly opposing all forms of Islamophobia. China supports mutual respect, inclusiveness, and learning between civilizations. He concluded, “The world will be better when China is fine.”

Ministerial committee formed

The Chinese ambassador stated that “the two parties are keen on enhancing cooperation to implement the agreements reached between the leaderships of the two countries. On the Kuwaiti side, a ministerial committee was formed, headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and consisting of officials from relevant ministries.

Meanwhile, the Chinese side has sent multiple delegations to consult with their Kuwaiti counterparts and conducted a field visit to the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project. Renewable energy projects were also discussed. Both teams have made significant progress in implementing these initiatives, and the Chinese side is very committed to advancing these projects.

Currently, a Kuwaiti delegation led by the Minister of Public Works is participating in the World Sustainable Transport Forum and has conducted a field visit to the Port of Tianjin. On Friday, they will visit Shanghai Port and meet with the Chinese transport minister, where further progress will be made on the Mubarak Al-KabeerPort project.

The ceremony featured the distribution of prizes to the winners of the photography competition, celebrating their outstanding contributions. Attendees were also treated to a vibrant display of Chinese folk dances, which received an enthusiastic response from the audience.