On December 6, 2023, Ambassador Zhang Jianwei gave an exclusive interview for a documentary on China-Kuwait relations produced by the Kuwaiti side.

China and Kuwait enjoy a profound traditional friendship, as Kuwait was the first Arab country in the Gulf region to establish diplomatic relations with China and also the first Middle East country to sign Belt and Road cooperation documents with China. Over the past 52 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, both of us have been committed to the original aspiration that features mutual respect, mutual support, win-win cooperation and common development. With the personal commitment and guidance of President Xi Jinping and Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal, China-Kuwait strategic partnership has grown steadily over the years, with fruitful outcomes produced through bilateral cooperation in various fields and the foundation of our lasting friendship further strengthened.

Noting the bilateral meeting President Xi Jinping and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal had when Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal visited China to attend the opening ceremony of Hangzhou Asian Games in September, Ambassador Zhang said the meeting was a full success, as they reached a series of important consensus and witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents. The Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal’s visit greatly strengthens the friendly ties between the two countries, deepens our strategic mutual trust and elevates bilateral cooperation in many fields to a higher level. It charts the course for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Kuwait and opens up a new chapter of our strategic partnership.

Ambassador Zhang emphasized that China will make joint efforts to earnestly implement the important common understandings reached between the leaders and develop greater synergy in our development strategies. It is imperative for us to enhance cooperation in major livelihood projects and infrastructure such as residential communities, ports and power stations, facilitate trade and investment, tap the potential of bilateral cooperation in communications, digital economy and other fields, and maintain closer exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, healthcare and sports and between the youths of our two countries. Doing this will contribute to our high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and create an even brighter future of bilateral relations together.