His Majesty the Sultan Begins State Visit to China, Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
BEIJING: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik arrived in Beijing last night for a two-day state visit to the People’s Republic of China, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across various strategic and economic sectors.
Official Reception Ceremony
His Majesty the Sultan was accorded an official reception ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday, hosted by President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, in honour of His Majesty’s state visit.
The ceremony reflected the strong ties of friendship between the Sultanate of Oman and China and underscored the importance both countries attach to further strengthening their bilateral relations.
Expanded Talks Focus on Strategic Cooperation
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and President Xi Jinping held an expanded session of official talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing as part of His Majesty’s state visit.
The discussions reviewed existing areas of cooperation between the two friendly nations and explored opportunities to expand their partnership across several key sectors.
Particular emphasis was placed on technology and innovation, artificial intelligence, energy, renewable energy, manufacturing, logistics, digital trade, and food security. The talks also highlighted the importance of strengthening integration between economic zones and ports to promote trade, investment, and economic connectivity.
During the meeting, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech welcoming His Majesty the Sultan and his accompanying delegation. He expressed his appreciation for the visit and highlighted its significance in consolidating bilateral relations, deepening the bonds of friendship and cooperation, and strengthening the existing partnership between the two countries.
President Xi also emphasised the importance of opening broader horizons for joint collaboration.
His Majesty the Sultan subsequently delivered a speech on the occasion, reflecting the importance of the visit in advancing relations between Oman and China.
Oman and China Sign Agreement, 14 MoUs and Cooperation Protocol
As part of the state visit, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and President Xi Jinping presided over a signing ceremony for an agreement, 14 memorandums of understanding (MoUs), and a cooperation protocol between the Sultanate of Oman and the People’s Republic of China.
The agreements and memorandums cover a broad range of areas, reflecting the two countries’ shared commitment to strengthening economic, technological, scientific, and institutional cooperation.
The agreement concerns local currency swaps between the Central Bank of Oman and the People’s Bank of China.
The memorandums of understanding cover investment cooperation in green development, media and news, information exchange, science, technology and innovation, as well as regulatory cooperation in securities, futures, data, and the digital economy.
Additional memorandums address the peaceful uses of space, space science, technologies and applications, artificial intelligence, and applications of China’s BeiDou Satellite Navigation System.
The agreements also include cooperation on central bank digital currencies, investment in industrial and supply chains, competition protection and anti-monopoly measures, vegetation cover development, and the management of natural reserves.
Further areas of cooperation include historical documentation and the management of records and archives, supporting the exchange of expertise and the development of institutional partnerships between the two countries.
The cooperation protocol concerns inspection, quarantine, and sanitary requirements for dried palm dates exported from Oman to China, facilitating agricultural trade while ensuring compliance with relevant standards.
The wide-ranging agreements are expected to provide new opportunities for cooperation and contribute to the development of mutually beneficial partnerships across key sectors.
President Xi Jinping Hosts Official Luncheon
President Xi Jinping hosted an official luncheon at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in honour of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, marking the occasion of His Majesty’s state visit to China.
The luncheon formed part of the official programme of the visit, which seeks to reinforce the longstanding friendship between Oman and China and advance their strategic partnership through dialogue, economic cooperation, and joint initiatives.
His Majesty’s visit reflects the commitment of both countries to deepening bilateral relations and broadening cooperation in support of their shared interests and future development.
