Your Excellency Ambassador Sameeh Hayat, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs of Kuwait,

Your Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening.

We are gathered here today to celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the State of Kuwait, and to welcome the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year.

First of all, I would like to convey the sincere greetings and best wishes from H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China to H.H. Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait, and convey congratulations and warmest greetings from H.E. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Foreign Minister to H.E. Ambassador Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait. I also extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you, express sincere gratitude to people from all walks of life who have committed to fostering friendly ties between China and Kuwait, and offer my heartfelt Lunar New Year greetings to every friend here today.

A new year ushers in new chapter, and it endows China-Kuwait and China-Arab relations with fresh meaning.

First, China-Kuwait relations stand at a new historical starting point, with mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields moving forward at a brisk pace. Kuwait was the first Gulf Arab state to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China. Over the past 55 years, through every shift in the international landscape, our two countries have always upheld mutual respect and support, setting a prime example of equality between countries regardless of their size. High-level exchanges between China and Kuwait have grown ever closer, with our strategic mutual trust continuously deepened. The two meetings between H.E. President Xi Jinping and H.H. Amir Sheikh Meshal in recent years have offered strategic guidance for elevating bilateral relations to new heights. Our pragmatic cooperation has deepened with fruitful Belt and Road outcomes. Bilateral trade volume has expanded 800-fold, surging from 22 million US dollars at the start of our diplomatic relations to 18.58 billion US dollars in 2025. Corporation on major projects such as the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port, have strongly underpinned Kuwait’s national development strategy. China’s intelligent manufacturing in areas including automobiles, communications, and robotics has brought tangible benefits to countless Kuwaiti families.

Moreover, cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Kuwait are thriving, and the bond connecting our two peoples grows ever closer. The Chinese medical team has been serving in Kuwait for five decades, providing medical care to over one million local residents. As early as 1959, Kuwait’s influential magazine Al-Arabi published features on Chinese culture. Last year, the first China Cultural Center in the Gulf region was officially inaugurated in Kuwait. Having stood side by side for more than half a century, deepening our friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation has become a strategic choice for both China and Kuwait. We are confident that with our joint endeavors, China-Kuwait relations will remain vibrant and dynamic, and we will achieve greater progress and successes together.

Second, with the upcoming second China-Arab States Summit and second China-GCC Summit, the building of a China-Arab Community with a Shared Future is embracing new prospects. Back in 2022, the first China-Arab States Summit and China-GCC Summit, graced by the presence of H.E. President Xi Jinping, H.H. Amir Sheikh Meshal and other Arab leaders, blazed a new trail for the all-round deepening of China-Arab and China-GCC relations. Over the years, China and Arab states have earnestly implemented the outcomes. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Arab countries. In this memorable year, China will host the second China-Arab States Summit and the second China-GCC Summit, to set longer-term goals, formulate more holistic plans and roll out more concrete measures for the next phase of our relations. China stands ready to seize the opportunity of the Summits to enhance strategic mutual trust with Kuwait, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and make greater contributions to forging a higher-level China-Arab Community with a Shared Future.

Third, China’s development is unfolding a new chapter and bringing new opportunities to the rest of the world. Guiding economic and social development with medium and long-term plans is a key governance approach of the Communist Party of China. Since 1953, China has formulated and implemented 14 five-year plans, which have strongly driven economic and social progress, enhanced composite national strength, improved people’s well-being, and created world-renowned miracles of rapid economic grows and long- term social stability. The 15th Five-Year Plan launched this year sends a resounding message of upholding openness and cooperation to pursue mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. It offers the most precious certainty to a turbulent world, particularly the Middle East which is plagued by recurring conflicts. As the GCC member states accelerating their economic diversification, and Kuwait Vision 2035 has entered a critical phase of implementation, China stands ready to work with Kuwait to strengthen the alignment of development plans, consolidate practical cooperation in traditional fields, deepen cooperation in emerging sectors, expand cooperation in future frontier areas, and work hand in hand toward common modernization.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As a Chinese saying goes, “A good start in spring paves the way for a year of success.” Today’s event also marks the launch of a series festive activities hosted by the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Cultural Center in Kuwait to celebrate the Year of the Horse. In both Chinese and Arab cultures, the horse is a revered symbol of loyalty, reliability, courage and perseverance. As we approach the Year of the Horse, I wish you all the vitality of steed and the resolve to forge ahead. May we stride forward together to achieve greater success and happiness.

As Ramadan and Kuwait’s National Day also draw near, I wish to take this opportunity to extend heartfelt greetings to the leadership and people of Kuwait. May China and Kuwait thrive in prosperity, may our two peoples live in lasting harmony, and may China-Kuwait friendship last forever.

Thank you.