After completing his trips to South Korea and Japan, HH The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani landed in Beijing, China, for his two-day working visit yesterday.

The Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister for Middle East Affairs Chen Xiaodong, Qatar’s Ambassador to China Sultan bin Salmeen Al Mansouri, Chinese Ambassador to Qatar Li Chen and members of the Qatari embassy in Beijing received HH The Amir at the Beijing International Airport, reported Gulf Times.

HH the Amir arrives on Monday evening for a two-day state visit to the People's Republic of China. HH was welcomed by Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister for Middle East Affairs, Qatar's ambassador to China, and Chinese ambassador to the State of Qatar. #QNA pic.twitter.com/ff9Lpi09fh

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) January 30, 2019

HH The Amir last visited China in 2014, and it established a comprehensive strategic relation between the two countries. During the current visit, he is expected to discuss with the Chinese leadership the next phase of the strategic partnership.

HH The Amir is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier of the Chinese State Council Li Keqiang. He will also likely meet Chairman of National People’s Congress.

#Infographic
His Highness, the Amir @TamimBinHamad , visits #China to inaugurate a new phase of cooperation#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/SLjREPnl9a

— MOFA - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) January 30, 2019

The visit of HH The Amir is expected to catapult relations between the two countries to a new phase of joint and constructive cooperation, according to Al Mansouri.

Al Mansouri said there was harmony between the two leaders and that they agreed on common views. There will be a push for Qatari investments in China, as well as a discussion on economic issues related to clean energy, gas and other fields, reported Qatar Tribune.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss important and urgent issues related to the region. Al Mansouri said more than seven important agreements were supposed to be signed during HH The Amir’s visit, reported Gulf Times.

Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the State of Qatar: HH the Amir's visit to Beijing is extremely important in terms of enriching the strategic partnership between the two countries and opening up broader prospects for bilateral cooperation in all fields. #QNA

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) January 30, 2019

Chinese Ambassador Li Chen highlighted historical ties between the two countries, saying they just celebrated 30 years on establishing diplomatic relations. He added that friendship between the Chinese and Qatari peoples extend for more than a thousand years.

The two countries are set to announce the establishment of the China-Qatar Friendship Association and the Qatar-China Friendship Association. The Ambassador said it was an essential step in the two sides’ efforts to strengthen friendship and co-operation, reported Gulf Times.

Ambassador of the State of Qatar to People's Republic of China says that the visit of HH the Amir to China would drive relations to a new stage of the prospects for joint and constructive cooperation in the interests of the two countries. #QNA

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) January 30, 2019

The volume of trade exchange between the two countries has increased from $50m at in 1988 to $10.3bn in 2017, growing about 200 times.

China is Qatar's third largest trading partner and second largest source of imports, while Qatar is the second largest exporter of LNG to China.

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Cover Image Credit: Qatar Tribune