His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Sunday arrived in Yinchuan city in China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR) to attend the opening ceremony of the China-Arab States Expo as the first guest of honour, at an invitation by the Chinese government.
He was welcomed at the airport by the NHAR party Deputy Secretary, Chinese Ambassador to Bahrain Li Chen, Bahrain Honorary Consul in Hong Kong Dr. Y C Chow and senior officials from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
HM the King was greeted while getting off the plane in a big celebration by citizens from the province who were wearing their popular costumes.
The opening of the exhibition was also attended by Jordanian Monarch King Abdullah II, senior officials from Arab countries and China, businessmen and invitees.
HM King Hamad stressed that organising the expo in the predominantly Muslim province asserts China’s ability to make major economic and development strides thanks to harmony and unity among its components.
He described the expo as a bridge for cooperation between the Arab states and China mainly in the economic, trade and investment fields.
Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Yu Zhengsheng gave a speech in which he conveyed the greetings of the Chinese President to the participants in the exhibition. He described the expo as an opportunity to bolster relations between China and the Arab countries.
Speeches were also given by Chinese officials and representatives of the Arab states.
Industry and Commerce Minister Dr. Hassan Abdullah Fakhro gave a speech on behalf of HM the King in which he extended thanks and respect for the warm welcome and hospitality. He described the event as a symbol of strong economic and brotherly relations with China, stressing strong ties binding the GCC member states with it.
He praised China’s glorious history and civilisation as well as its aspiration for more development and progress. He underlined keenness of the Gulf and Arab region to boost cooperation with China, being the second major economic power in the world. He also voiced Bahrain’s pride in its distinguished relations with China, underscoring the importance of HM the King’s visit in further cementing bilateral ties.
He also took pride in Bahrain’s glorious history and wealth of experience, mainly in the legislative, educational and economic fields, despite the kingdom’s small size and limited resources and regardless of the hostile interferences in the Gulf region which contravene the principle of international partnership to which Bahrain is committed.
The expo, held under the theme “China and the Arab Countries Hand in Hand Before the World”, features many activities like holding conferences, forums, workshops and specialised trade exhibitions that aim to foster the Chinese-Arab cooperation.