Bahraini king praises Sino-Bahraini ties

Bahraini King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa praises Sino-Bahraini ties and expects an even brighter prospect in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Tuesday in Manama.

"Our two countries share identical or similar views on regional and international issues of common concern," King Hamad told Xinhua following a two-day summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

"GCC member states believe that China is a respected and friendly country," the king said, when asked to comment relations between China and the GCC, a political and economic alliance in the Gulf region.

As for talks over a free trade deal between China and the GCC, due soon in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, the king said, "Such an agreement will bring about benefits to the people of the two sides."

On the Iraq issue, the king said that the Arab world is highly concerned about what is going on in the war-torn country, and UN Security Council Resolution 1546 affirms the legitimacy of the interim Iraqi government, which should fulfill its responsibilities for running the country till a new government will be formed after the Jan. 30 elections.

In regard to the Palestinians, the king said his kingdom is quite worried about the worsening situation in the occupied Palestinian territories due to Israel's continued military escalation.

Israel's aggressive policy will result in violence and insecurity in the region, the king said.

When asked to comment on the Gulf summit, the king said that the gathering was held against the backdrop of the changing regional and international situation.

"For GCC member states, we need to work together to deal with challenges we are facing," the king said. "The GCC has scored enormous achievements in terms of promoting cooperation among its member states in the areas of politics, economy, society, education, press, environment, sports and youth."

"For Bahrain, we have been pursuing the path of opening up to the outside world and developing the cause of culture," the king said, adding that his kingdom has done a lot to push forward its modernization drive.

During the summit, the participants discussed the economic integration process in the Gulf region and pressing regional issues, especially the Iraqi file.

The GCC, which groups Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, was established in 1981 to enhance regional ties and cooperation in economic, social, political and military fields.

It launched a customs union in January 2003 by levying a unified 5 percent tariff across its member states, and agreed to set up a monetary union in 2005, a common market by 2007 and a single currency by 2010.

Source: Xinhua