China, Qatar vow to deepen oil, gas cooperation

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani vowed on Tuesday to deepen oil and gas cooperation between their countries, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
"China hopes to build a long-term, comprehensive and strategic relationship of energy cooperation with Qatar and strengthen bilateral cooperation in oil and gas exploration and development, liquefied national gas production and integrated cooperation in the petrochemical industry," Li was quoted as telling al-Tani during their meeting in Beijing.
The premier called on Qatar to allow Chinese companies to join more upstream and downstream block exploration programs in Qatar, according to the report.
Al-Thani hailed the development of Qatar-China relations and pledged that Qatar will deepen bilateral ties and strengthen reciprocal cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. "Qatar will prioritize long-term energy cooperation with China," the Amir said.
Li said China is willing to participate in Qatar's high-speed railway construction through its advanced technology, and hopes Qatar will consider Chinese companies when seeking project bids. He also vowed to expand investment and financial cooperation with Qatar, conduct currency swap and Renminbi clearing cooperation, and jointly promote building an international crude oil futures market.
In reply, the Qtari leader welcomed more Chinese companies to invest in his country.
Li called on Qatar, which will take over the rotating chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), to play a positive role in promoting the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, as well as in negotiating the China-GCC Free Trade Area to help the two sides achieve a reciprocal and high-quality free trade agreement. Al-Thani said Qatar is willing to play a positive role in promoting cooperation between GCC and China.
The Amir arrived in China on Sunday for a three-day state visit. He met Chinese President Xi Jinping and the two witnessed the signing of a string of deals on Monday.