China-Gulf Economic Cooperation Think Tank Forum held in Beijing

（DRTT News）China-Gulf Economic Cooperation Think Tank Forum was held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, on December 17, 2016. The Forum took “New Pattern and New Opportunity for China-Gulf Economic Cooperation against the Backdrop of the Belt and Road Initiative” as its theme.

The Forum was guided by Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC), China, academically guided by Research Department of Foreign Economic Relations of the DRC, hosted by China Development Press and jointly organized by Development Research Think Tank of China (DRTT), China Development Observation Press and Beijing Chenxinaiwan Investment Co., Ltd. Li Wei, President of the DRC delivered a keynote speech on “Enhancing Policy Communications and Jointly Building New Era for China-Gulf Economic Cooperation”. Officials from home and abroad attended the Forum and delivered opening remarks, including Zhang Ming, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, China; Wang Shouwen, Vice Minister of Commerce, China; H.E. Abdullah Al Saadi, Ambassador of Oman to China; H.E. Anwar Al Abdulla, Ambassador of Bahrain to China; H.E. Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat, Ambassador of Kuwait to China; Mr. Ahmed M.S. Almowallad, Political Counselor of Saudi Arabia to China, etc. Long Guoqiang, Vice President of the DRC hosted the opening ceremony and made a conclusion speech. About 180 delegates, including government officials, entrepreneurs and scholars, from China and the Gulf states attended the Forum.

The Forum had three sessions, including “Strategic Dialogue and Think Tanks’ Role in Economic Cooperation between China and the GCC States”, “Energy Cooperation between China and the Gulf States” and “Financial and Industrial Cooperation between China and the Gulf States”. Speakers from home and abroad delivered speeches, including Wang Jinzhao, Deputy Director-General of Research Department of Foreign Economic Relations of the DRC; Yang Guang, Director-General of Institute of West-Asian and African Studies, China; Li Guanghui, Vice President of Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Commerce, China; Zhang Jianwei, Deputy Chief, Third Bureau of the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC; Sun Xuezhen, Division Head of Coordination and Advancing the Belt and Road, Department of Western Region Development, National Development and Reform Commission, China; An Fengquan, Deputy Director-General, Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas, National Energy Administration, China; Kareem Qin, Vice Chairman of China-Arab Exchange Association; Li Shaoxian, Director of China-Arab Research Institute of Ningxia University; Hu Dongsheng, Deputy Director-General of Planning Department of China Development Bank; Liu Zhengming, Managing Director of Silk Road Fund; Shi Yonghong, Vice Chairman of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products; Xin Xiuming, Vice Chairman of China International Contractors Association; Li Jianping, Deputy Mayor of Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China; Wang Zhen, Deputy Director of Policy Research Office of China National Petroleum Corporation; Su Biao, Division Director of Sinopec Group of China; Samer Ashgar, President of King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center, Saudi Arab; Mushabab Al-Qahtani, Vice President of Marketing, Aramco Asia, Saudi Arabia. The discussion sessions were hosted by Zhao Jinping, Director-General of Research Department of Foreign Economic Relations of the DRC; Zhang Qi, Deputy Director-General of Research Department of Foreign Economic Relations of the DRC and Bao Yueyang, President of China Development Press, respectively.

It was introduced that the Forum was designated to bring into full play the role of think tanks in promoting international economic and trade cooperation, enable the Gulf States to better understand China, and work with related governments, business organizations and companies from China and the Gulf States so as to build a large-scale forum platform. In this way, international research on economic cooperation and development strategy between China and the Gulf States can be further conducted, thus promoting China-Gulf communications and cooperation in such areas as economy, investment, trade, finance and technology.