Ambassador of China to Qatar, H E Zhou Jian
Doha: Ambassador of China to Qatar, H E Zhou Jian, has said that China is a strategic partner of Qatar and the year 2021 is a year of harvest for China-Qatar relations.
In a message on Qatar National Day, he said: “On behalf of the Chinese Government and 1.4 billion Chinese people, I wish to express our sincere congratulations and best wishes to Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, and to the brotherly Qatari people.”
“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 does are underway. The whole society has revived.”
The second, he said, is Qatar’s economy has rebounded strongly. “Trade volume of the first three quarters has topped 140 billion Riyals, increasing by over 50%. Fiscal revenue turning from deficit to surplus, annual GDP 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.”
He added: “The third is the preparation work for the 2022 World Cup has yielded fruitful progress. 8 distinctive football stadiums have been completed, the Arab Cup is undergoing with full heat.”
The fourth, he said, is Qatar’s active diplomacy in international arena. “Deeply engaged in Afghan issues, Qatar served as a “transit hub” in evacuation, a “middleman” in diplomacy and a “pioneer” in humanitarian aid, playing an important and unique role for peace and stability in Afghanistan.”
He said that these remarkable achievements were made possible by the wise leadership of H H the Amir, the concerted efforts of over 2.6 million people in Qatar, as well as the friendly cooperation with the international community.”
He said that China is a strategic partner of Qatar and the year 2021 is a year of harvest for China-Qatar relations. “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 CIIE (China International Import Exhibition) for the first time.”
“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 Ambassador added: “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.”
In the coming new year, he said, China will join hands with Qatar to uphold the spirit of sports, oppose politicisation and present the world with two splendid sport events.
