In the most beautiful season in Doha, we are celebrating the National Day of Qatar. First, on behalf of the Chinese Government and 1.4bn Chinese people, I wish to express our sincere congratulations and best wishes to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani, and to the brotherly Qatari people. Happy National Day, Qatar!
This is the third National Day I have spent in Qatar, which is also a special National Day. Looking back on 2021, there are many good news in Qatar that have deeply impressed me:
The first is that the pandemic has been effectively brought under control. Qatar’s vaccination rate has reached 86%, one of the highest in the world, and booster doses are underway. The whole society has revived. We can see laughter in Majlis, busy shopping malls, and people enjoying themselves along the seaside, everywhere is full of popularity and vitality.
The second is Qatar's economy has rebounded strongly. Trade volume of the first three quarters has topped QR140bn, increasing by over 50%. Fiscal revenue turning from deficit to surplus, annual GDP growth is expected to reach 3%, with economic index leading the Gulf region. Qatar is making new harvests on its way of diversification and sustainable development.
The third is the preparation work for the 2022 World Cup which has yielded fruitful progress. Eight distinctive football stadiums have been completed, the Arab Cup is ongoing with overwhelming participation of fans. A magnificent, Arab-style World Cup is under way.
The fourth is Qatar’s active diplomacy in international arena. Deeply engaged in Afghan issues, Qatar served as a "transit hub" in evacuation, a "mediator" in diplomacy and a "pioneer" in humanitarian aid, playing an important and unique role for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
These remarkable achievements were made possible by the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir, the concerted efforts of over 2.6mn people in Qatar, as well as the friendly co-operation with the international community.
China is a strategic partner of Qatar. The year 2021 is a year of harvest for China-Qatar relations. Looking back to our bilateral ties this year, the strongest driving force is our high-level exchanges. Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid two successful visits to Qatar, reaching key outcomes on the implementation of the consensus of our two Heads of State, which have injected new impetus into the development of China-Qatar relations in the new era.
The most notable achievement is that China has become Qatar's largest trading partner for two consecutive years. Bilateral trade in the first three quarters reached $11.77bn, surpassing the annual volume of last year. Chinese company participated in Qatar’s LNG vessel project, and Qatar showed-off its Country Pavilion at the China International Import Exhibition (CIIE) for the first time.
The most striking undertone is Green development. China's Yutong electric bus "drove" into Doha, contributing to green transportation for the Arab Cup and F1 Grand Prix Qatar. Three Chinese energy companies including Sinopec and CNOOC signed long-term LNG agreements with QatarEnergy, bringing green “wings” to our two countries.
The most distinctive symbol is the completion of the Lusail Stadium contracted by CRCC. At the same time next year, 32 top football teams will gather in Doha, where we will witness the wonderful moment of crowning the World Cup trophy.
The year 2022 is a year of special place in the history of both China and Qatar. The Beijing Winter Olympics is revealing to the world, and the pace of Qatar World Cup is getting closer and closer. The Winter Olympics and the World Cup are making a historical “handshake” across the mountains and rivers, and will definitely leave a remarkable page in the history of human sports.
The spirit of sports is that all mankind, regardless of race, nationality or the colour of skin, could come together to challenge the limits and surpass ourselves.
In the coming new year, China will join hands with Qatar to uphold the spirit of sports, oppose politicisation and present the world with two splendid sport events. We will continue to uphold multilateralism and international justice, reject protectionism and hegemony, deepen the synergy of our development strategies and bilateral co-operation in all fields, and jointly contribute to the development and revitalisation of China and Qatar, as well as the community with a shared future for mankind.
May I once again wish Qatar peace and prosperity! Wish the brotherly people of Qatar happiness and good health! May China-Qatar friendship last forever!
The first is that the pandemic has been effectively brought under control. Qatar’s vaccination rate has reached 86%, one of the highest in the world, and booster doses are underway. The whole society has revived. We can see laughter in Majlis, busy shopping malls, and people enjoying themselves along the seaside, everywhere is full of popularity and vitality.
The second is Qatar's economy has rebounded strongly. Trade volume of the first three quarters has topped QR140bn, increasing by over 50%. Fiscal revenue turning from deficit to surplus, annual GDP growth is expected to reach 3%, with economic index leading the Gulf region. Qatar is making new harvests on its way of diversification and sustainable development.
The third is the preparation work for the 2022 World Cup which has yielded fruitful progress. Eight distinctive football stadiums have been completed, the Arab Cup is ongoing with overwhelming participation of fans. A magnificent, Arab-style World Cup is under way.
The fourth is Qatar’s active diplomacy in international arena. Deeply engaged in Afghan issues, Qatar served as a "transit hub" in evacuation, a "mediator" in diplomacy and a "pioneer" in humanitarian aid, playing an important and unique role for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
These remarkable achievements were made possible by the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir, the concerted efforts of over 2.6mn people in Qatar, as well as the friendly co-operation with the international community.
China is a strategic partner of Qatar. The year 2021 is a year of harvest for China-Qatar relations. Looking back to our bilateral ties this year, the strongest driving force is our high-level exchanges. Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid two successful visits to Qatar, reaching key outcomes on the implementation of the consensus of our two Heads of State, which have injected new impetus into the development of China-Qatar relations in the new era.
The most notable achievement is that China has become Qatar's largest trading partner for two consecutive years. Bilateral trade in the first three quarters reached $11.77bn, surpassing the annual volume of last year. Chinese company participated in Qatar’s LNG vessel project, and Qatar showed-off its Country Pavilion at the China International Import Exhibition (CIIE) for the first time.
The most striking undertone is Green development. China's Yutong electric bus "drove" into Doha, contributing to green transportation for the Arab Cup and F1 Grand Prix Qatar. Three Chinese energy companies including Sinopec and CNOOC signed long-term LNG agreements with QatarEnergy, bringing green “wings” to our two countries.
The most distinctive symbol is the completion of the Lusail Stadium contracted by CRCC. At the same time next year, 32 top football teams will gather in Doha, where we will witness the wonderful moment of crowning the World Cup trophy.
The year 2022 is a year of special place in the history of both China and Qatar. The Beijing Winter Olympics is revealing to the world, and the pace of Qatar World Cup is getting closer and closer. The Winter Olympics and the World Cup are making a historical “handshake” across the mountains and rivers, and will definitely leave a remarkable page in the history of human sports.
The spirit of sports is that all mankind, regardless of race, nationality or the colour of skin, could come together to challenge the limits and surpass ourselves.
In the coming new year, China will join hands with Qatar to uphold the spirit of sports, oppose politicisation and present the world with two splendid sport events. We will continue to uphold multilateralism and international justice, reject protectionism and hegemony, deepen the synergy of our development strategies and bilateral co-operation in all fields, and jointly contribute to the development and revitalisation of China and Qatar, as well as the community with a shared future for mankind.
May I once again wish Qatar peace and prosperity! Wish the brotherly people of Qatar happiness and good health! May China-Qatar friendship last forever!
