China, Bahrain pledge to deepen economic ties

MANAMA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechimet with Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa and Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa to seek closer economic ties, Chinese Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

In a press release, the ministry said during the talks held on Wednesday, Hamad and Sheikh Khalifa said they hope to deepen cooperation in trade and financial sectors with China, and welcome Chinese companies to invest in their country.

Yang said the friendly cooperation between China and Bahrain has developed smoothly since the two sides forged diplomatic relations in 1989.

China-Bahrain trade volume has increased rapidly and the two countries have made steady progress in engineering projects, agriculture, and finance, Yang said.

He said China will make joint efforts with Bahrain in stepping up political trust, economic cooperation, cultural exchanges so as to bring bilateral relations to a new height.

China will also actively join any international efforts to push forward Middle East peace process and will make contributions to maintain the region's peace, stability and development, he added.

Hamad and Sheikh Khalifa expressed appreciation on China's support of the just cause of the Arab people and hoped China would play greater role in international affairs.

Yang also hold talks with his Bahraini counterpart Sheikh Khaled Bin Ahmed al-Thani Thursday. Both sides have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties and major issues of mutual concern, according to the ministry.

Yang is on a three-day official visit to Bahrain where he attended the third ministerial meeting of China-Arab cooperation forum held on Wednesday.