Chengdu: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi stated that the economic ties between the GCC countries and China have rapidly grown over recent years, with China ranking first among the GCC countries' trading partners.

According to Qatar News Agency, addressing the first GCC-China Forum on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technology hosted by Chengdu, China, Albudaiwi said the trade exchanges between both sides exceeded USD 279 billion in 2023, thereby reflecting the enormous potential and promising opportunities to boost cooperation and integration between the two sides in various domains.

The event represents a real opportunity to enhance joint work and exchange expertise on best practices in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, emphasizing that anyone looking into GCC-Chinese relations will clearly discern the depth of this historical relationship and interests, highlighted Albudaiwi.

He affirmed that this relationship witnessed an important event represented by the convening of the first summit between Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC states, and President of the People's Republic of China, President Xi Jinping, during which the joint action plan between the two sides (2023-2027) was approved.

This summit also contributed to strengthening political, economic, environmental, and cultural coordination between the two sides, as the GCC-China relationship is not merely strategic, but rather a solid partnership in all fields and areas, Albudaiwi underlined.

He asserted that joint political coordination works closely between both sides to address political challenges, enhance stability in the Middle East, and support peaceful solutions to regional conflicts, contributing to regional and international security.

Albudaiwi further stated that cooperation in the area of nuclear energy is one of the foremost pillars of partnership between the GCC and China, representing an important opportunity to enhance energy security in the GCC countries and to develop peaceful nuclear capabilities in accordance with the highest international standards.

He affirmed that the GCC countries aim to benefit from advanced Chinese expertise in this area, whether through knowledge exchange or developing nuclear infrastructure, thereby enhancing energy security and serving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).