Chinese Premier Arrives in Doha

Doha, January 18 (QNA) - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Doha Wednesday afternoon on a two-day official visit to Qatar. He was received upon arrival at Doha International Airport by HE Minister of Energy and Industry Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada and HE Chinese Ambassador to Qatar Zhang Zhiliang. Wen Jiabao said he was happy to pay this official visit to the State of Qatar at the invitation of HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani. He also extended his sincere greetings and good wishes, on behalf of the Government of China and its people, to the Qatari people. In a press statement after his arrival he said over 24 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Qatar, the two countries have conducted fruitful cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, trade, energy and culture, and have maintained good communication and coordination on the international and regional affairs. He stressed that China attaches great importance to its relations with Qatar, underscoring his country's readiness to make joint efforts with Qatar to continue to deepen the bonds of friendship between the two peoples and achieve more progress in cooperation between the two countries in various fields. Wen Jiabao added, "I will meet during the visit HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. I will also hold talks with HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to exchange views on Qatar-Chinese relations and on international and regional issues of mutual interest." He expressed his confidence that his visit to Qatar will contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of both countries and boost the relations between them in the next stage. (QNA)