China and the Gulf Cooperation Council have signaled their readiness to fast-track negotiations on a free trade agreement, a move officials and experts say would underscore support for multilateralism and open trade amid growing global protectionism and further elevate bilateral ties.

The message was conveyed at a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between visiting Foreign Minister Wang Yi and GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

Negotiations on a China-GCC Free Trade Agreement have been continuing for more than 20 years, Wang said, adding that conditions are now largely favorable for a final, decisive push. In the context of rising protectionism and unilateralism, concluding the pact would "send a strong signal in support of multilateralism", he said.

The GCC consists of six Persian Gulf states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Wang said China stands ready to work with GCC countries to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, deepen mutually beneficial trade and investment ties, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and enhance coordination on multilateral issues.

Albudaiwi said the GCC hopes to finalize a free trade agreement with China at the earliest opportunity, emphasizing the bloc's readiness to deepen dialogue and achieve concrete outcomes at next year's second China-Arab States Summit and China-GCC Summit.

Niu Xinchun, executive director of China-Arab Research Institute of Ningxia University, said both the quality and scope of economic cooperation between China and the GCC have improved significantly, with both sides showing strong willingness to finalize a free trade agreement.

China is the GCC's largest trading partner and has signed Belt and Road cooperation agreements with all its members. The bloc is also a key source of China's crude oil imports.

Common interests

Against the backdrop of the United States' tariff measures that are undermining the global trading system, Niu said stronger China-GCC cooperation would help both sides weather uncertainties and safeguard the common interests of Global South countries.

Wang is on a five-day visit, ending Tuesday, to three Middle Eastern countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

The visit comes as China and Saudi Arabia mark 35 years of diplomatic ties, with both sides set to commemorate the 10th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership next year. Saudi Arabia is China's largest trading partner in the Middle East, while China is Saudi Arabia's top trading partner.

On Sunday, Wang met with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, saying China is ready to deepen comprehensive, mutually beneficial cooperation and open new prospects for bilateral relations.

Wang welcomed the crown prince's upcoming visit to China for the second China-Arab States Summit, underlining China's readiness to maintain close communication with Saudi Arabia to promote greater stability, peace and security in the Middle East.

The crown prince reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's support for China's hosting of the two summits and reiterated the country's readiness to accelerate negotiations on the China-GCC free trade agreement.

He expressed Saudi Arabia's appreciation for China's impartial stance on the Middle East issues, highlighting the kingdom's willingness to maintain close communication and coordination with China on multilateral matters.

Niu said China, as a major country, maintains an objective and impartial stance on the Middle East issues, playing a unique role and serving as a trustworthy partner.

"After two years of the Gaza conflict, large parts of the Middle East have entered a period of stagnation, with regional tensions further intensifying. Arab countries and China are engaging in consultations to jointly explore measures to maintain regional stability," he said.

Also on Sunday, Wang cochaired the fifth meeting of the Political Sub-committee of the China-Saudi Arabia High-level Joint Committee with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Riyadh.

Faisal reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's firm commitment to the one-China principle, saying it would never support any "Taiwan independence" separatist activities.

Indulging such separatism violates the principle of noninterference in internal affairs under international law and would fuel instability by emboldening separatist forces globally, he said.

zhaojia@chinadaily.com.cn