China says it is ready to deepen cooperation with Qatar in energy and AI
In Beijing, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said during a meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani that China is ready to deepen cooperation with Doha in energy, investment, artificial intelligence, and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. The Qatari prime minister arrived in China for a two-day official visit, the South China Morning Post reports.
Energy and technology
According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Li Qiang proposed strengthening communication and coordination between the countries, as well as developing cooperation in energy, investment, artificial intelligence, and people-to-people exchanges. He called Qatar an important strategic partner of China in the Middle East and urged increased engagement on multilateral platforms.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, for his part, expressed readiness to expand contacts at various levels and deepen cooperation in trade, high technology, and advanced manufacturing. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the talks also covered the economy, investment, trade, energy, and technology.
China has been Qatar’s largest trading partner and the main destination for its exports since 2020. According to Chinese Ambassador to Qatar Cao Xiaolin, bilateral trade increased from $10.6 billion in 2014 to $24.22 billion in 2024 — by 128% over a decade.
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Shipping security
The sides discussed the regional situation amid tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. This sea route is important for energy supplies to China and for Qatar’s exports of liquefied natural gas. Qatari LNG meets nearly one-third of Chinese demand for this fuel.
Li Qiang said Beijing supports Qatar’s mediating role in Middle Eastern affairs and is ready to work with Doha, other Gulf states, and the international community to restore peace in the region. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari had noted that the visit would cover diplomatic de-escalation efforts and issues of security and freedom of international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran said on Monday that talks with Oman on temporary safe passage through the strait were at their final stage. Tehran also confirmed that the Qatari delegation’s visit to Iran was part of regional de-escalation efforts.
