Speaker praises solid Bahraini-Chinese relations

Manama, Jan. 12 (BNA): Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal, has stressed Bahrain’s keenness to strengthen its deep-rooted friendship relations with China across various fields, praising the steady growth of joint cooperation, especially regarding bilateral trade. She asserted that Bahrain appreciates China, being the largest gateway for economy and investment in Asia, noting that its political stances are always balanced and it plays a key regional and international role that deserves every respect. She said that the Council of Representatives values highly China’s constinuous solidarity with Bahrain, citing its support for Bahrain’s security and stability, as well as rejection of foreign interference in its domestic affairs. She highlighted Bahrain’s principled stances in solidarity with friendly China, and in support for ensuring its security and stability, as well as rejection of external interference in its internal affairs. She also highlighted the two friendly countries’ unified stances in rejection of terrorism and terrorist groups, in addition to their call for the need to respect countries’ sovereignty. The speaker made the statements while receiving here recently the Chinese Ambassador to Bahrain, Anwaer Habibullah, with whom she discussed the two countries’ parliamentary cooperation and coordination at the regional and international gatherings. She asserted that the Representatives Council endorses Bahrain’s official stance regarding the Xinjiang issue, and backs China’s efforts to develop the Xinjiang province, noting that the kingdom was among the 50 countries that had signed a joint message to the President of the UN Human Rights Council in support of China at the UN. She also pointed out that the Council of Representatives supports the resolution issued by the 46th session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)’s Foreign Ministers Council, which commended China’s support for Muslims. She also said that the Council of Representatives rejcts any attempts to harm relations between the two friendly countries. The speaker also congratulated friendly China on the 40th anniversary of its ‘Reform and Opening up’ policy, stressing the depth and distinction of the Bahraini-Chinese relations, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and President Xi Jinping, and hailing the fruitful results of HM King Hamad’s visit to China in September, 2013. She noted that the Council of Representatives is looking forward to enhancing the Bahraini-Chinese parliamentary relations, adding that it is honoured to invite a Chinses parliamentary delegation to visit Bahrain and establish a joint parliamentary friendship committee to further boost the existing strong bilateral relations at all levels and across various fields. She also affirmed the Representatives Council’s support for economic cooperation between the two countries, as well as the exchange of economic and tourism delegations, praising China’s mega projects in the region. She also underlined the Representatives Council’s keenness to support all joint investment cooperation and efforts to stimulate bilateral cooperation in various fields. The speaker lauded the role played by the Chinese expatriate community in Bahrain, and their positive contribution to the kingdom’s comprehensive development fields. She also called for increassing tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries, praising the role of the Confucius Institute at the University of Bahrain, being a distinct cultural and civilisational beacon. The speaker praised the care enjoyed by Bahrainis during their visit to China.