On December 12, 2023, Ambassador Zhang Jianwei gave an exclusive interview with “10-minute Talk on Diplomacy”, a program aired on Kuwait TV, on China-Kuwait relations, cultural and tourist resources of China and China’s responses to climate change.

China and Kuwait established diplomatic relations in 1971, Ambassador recalled, adding that Kuwait was the first Arab country of the Gulf to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China. As early as 1965, the late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah who was then Minister of Finance, Industry and Commerce, paid a visit to China and had a meeting with the Chinese leader, which enhanced our mutual understanding and laid an important foundation for the later establishment of diplomatic relations. Over the past 52 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral relationship has maintained sound and stable growth. Both sides have always shown mutual understanding and support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns. It is fair to say that China-Kuwait relationship is a pacesetter in the region and a role model in the handling of state-to-state relations. After Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990, China expressed firm opposition to the invasion and made utmost efforts in its capacity as a permanent member of the UN Security Council for the restoration of Kuwait’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Following the Gulf War, China immediately sent a 60-member firefighting team that braved danger and helped Kuwait extinguish ten 10,000-ton oil wells in a short period of two months. We Chinese people will not forget that Kuwait offered China valuable support for the restoration of its lawful seat at the UN. We will also keep in mind that Kuwait has made positive contributions to China’s economic development, making itself the Arab state offering the largest amount of government concessional loans to China. Moreover, Kuwait was the first Middle East country to sign Belt and Road cooperation documents with China. It is the only GCC country where a Chinese medical team has been stationed. Since 2018, our relationship has entered into a new stage, as China-Kuwait strategic partnership was announced that year. In December 2022 and September 2023, President Xi Jinping and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal had two meetings and reached important consensus, providing strong momentum for further enhancing mutual political trust between the two sides and expanding our mutually-beneficial cooperation. It charts the course of future growth of bilateral relations. China will remain as a trustworthy friend of Kuwait and work to implement the important common understandings reached between the leaders of our two nations. China will take an active part in the construction of major projects in Kuwait, tap the potential of our cooperation in such sectors as new energy, communications and digital economy, and enhance cultural exchanges and cooperation. Together we will create an even brighter future for China-Kuwait relations.

Ambassador Zhang stressed that China is a big country with splendid natural scenery and time-honored history; there are many places worth a visit – the soft sand beaches in the south, the ice and snow world in the northeast, the wet south in the east and the majestic Tibet Plateau in the west. The spectacular scenery everywhere is full of color and attractions. More importantly, China is renowned for its long history and rich cultural heritage. It has over 50 world cultural and natural heritage sites. The Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Terra-Cotta Warriors and Peking duck are names very familiar to many Kuwaiti friends. As our strategic partnership has achieved all-around growth over the years, our cooperation in tourism and cultural sectors maintained good momentum. For example, this year art troupes from China’s Shandong and Yunnan provinces presented wonderful acrobatic, dramatic, singing and dancing performance during their visits to Kuwait, introducing natural and cultural attractions with local characteristics. Many Kuwaiti friends said they are impressed by the diversity of Chinese culture and are keen to learn more about China in the future. Next year, some more art troupes from Beijing and provinces like Xinjiang and Hunan will be invited to visit Kuwait, and tourism promotion events will also be organized. We welcome Kuwaiti friends to visit China where they can see beautiful scenery and try a wide variety of delicious food. This will enable them to have a firsthand experience of the attractive Chinese culture. The Chinese Embassy in Kuwait will facilitate the travelling of Kuwaiti friends.

When it comes to China’s responses to climate change, Ambassador Zhang said that China attaches high importance to the responses to climate change. President Xi Jinping said for the first time that clear waters and green mountains are just as valuable as gold and silver when he worked in Zhejiang Province in 2015. This important proposition is China’s wisdom for global climate governance. Over the years, China has made vigorous efforts to advance green development. Its output and sales of new energy vehicles ranked first in the world in 2022. From 2012 to 2022, China’s desertification coverage and sandy desertification coverage have decreased by nearly 100,000 square kilometers in total, almost the size of Kuwait’s and UAE’s territory together. This means China has realized, ahead of schedule, the 2030 Land Degradation Neutrality target set by the UN. In addition, China has taken solid steps to further advance energy revolution. It has stopped building new coal-fired power plants abroad and now supplies 50 percent of the wind power equipment and 80 percent of the photovoltaic module equipment in the world. What’s more, China actively promotes international cooperation. China has allocated about 1.2 billion yuan ($185 million) for South-South climate cooperation, as part of its efforts to support capacity building in developing countries to address climate change. It also has worked with other countries to push for the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Given Kuwait’s Low Carbon Strategy 2050 launched not long ago, energy conservation, emission reduction, development of new energy and cleaner energy could become promising areas of cooperation for China and Kuwait. China stands ready to enhance technological cooperation with Kuwait, help it accelerate the green transition and build a cleaner and more beautiful world together.

Speaking of the Chinese communities in Kuwait, Ambassador Zhang said overseas Chinese in Kuwait have been working diligently in the country and integrated into the local community, presenting a good image of China. They have contributed their share to Kuwait’s economic and social development, playing an important role in advancing practical cooperation between the two nations. Ambassador Zhang hoped local Chinese communities will remain as the envoy in carrying forward bilateral friendship and promoting Chinese culture. The Chinese Embassy in Kuwait will provide them with support and assistance as much as possible. He said he is confident that with personal commitment and strategic guidance of the leaders of our two nations and through the joint efforts from the Chinese Embassy, the Chinese communities and other relevant parties, China-Kuwait friendship is bound to be elevated to new heights.