Editor's note: Amit Chanda is an independent journalist based in India. Of the 19 years in profession, he has worked with newspapers in the Middle East for 14 years. His last stint was with Muscat Daily in Oman for 10 years.The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

China and Oman are celebrating over 40 years of diplomatic relations and the traditional ties have a history of more than 1,200 years. Under Oman's new ruler Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, the ties are expected to achieve greater heights, according to China's envoy to Oman Li Lingbing.

Li said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1978, the two countries have always trusted, respected and supported each other.

She said, in May 2018, on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Oman, the leaders of the two countries (Xi Jinping and then Oman's ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said) exchanged congratulatory messages, jointly announcing the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries."The two countries also signed the 'Belt and Road' cooperation document, which has established a new platform for practical cooperation between the two countries in various fields."

China buys around 85 percent of Oman's oil exports and Li said that Oman and China trade ties will further grow in a post-COVID world. "China has always been Oman's largest trading partner in recent years. From January to June 2020, the trade volume between China and Oman is 9.15 billion U.S. dollars, of which China's exports are 1.27 billion U.S. dollars and imports are 7.88 billion U.S. dollars."

She said that China's Belt and Road initiative and Oman's 2040 Vision have a high degree of compatibility. "The trade between the two parties has a strong complementarity and a promising growth."

Li said that since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the Omani government, led by Sultan Haitham, has introduced a series of strict and effective prevention measures to protect the lives and health of the people. "At present, the pandemic has been basically controlled and various activities have gradually returned to normal."

China has played an important role in helping Oman tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. In the initial months, several flights from Oman brought crucial medical supplies from China. "Since the outbreak of the pandemic in Oman in March, China has actively shared scientific research data and pandemic prevention experience with Oman, invited Omani experts to participate in medical webinars, and actively supported Oman's pandemic prevention work. In early June, a large number of anti-pandemic materials including the testing kits, masks and protective clothing donated by the Chinese government arrived in Oman."

Li said that the Chinese Embassy in Oman has also donated medical supplies to Oman's Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We have assisted the Ministry of Health of Oman to purchase key medical supplies in China early this year. After the development of the new vaccine is completed and put into use, China will make it a global public product, to make our contribution to the realization of the accessibility and affordability of the vaccine in developing countries. At present, China and Oman are maintaining close communication on virus test cooperation."

As per the Belt and Road initiative, China has invested in Oman, especially in the Duqm Special Zone. So, what is the current progress of this project? "Since 2019, some Chinese companies involved in petrochemicals, metallurgy, logistics, building materials, fisheries and other fields have expressed a strong interest in Duqm, some of which are already conducting feasibility studies and have contacted relevant Omani departments."

Li said that Chinese businesses are actively exploring opportunities to invest in Oman. "At present, Daleel Petroleum, a joint venture between CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation) and a local company, has become the third largest oil producing company in Oman, and Chinese oil and gas engineering services and equipment supply companies have also become an important supporting force in Oman's oil and gas field."

"In the field of telecommunications, after more than ten years of hard work, Huawei has now become a major equipment supplier in Oman's telecommunications industry. At the same time, the fishery cooperation between China and Oman has been carried out for many years. China-funded companies such as CNFC (China National Fishery Corp) have carried out diversified businesses such as fishing, acquisition and processing in the local area, and have a good cooperative relationship with Omani fishermen and fishery companies."

Li said that Oman has a high degree of openness and good cooperation policies in the aforementioned energy and resource development, chemical, manufacturing, marine and other industries. "At the same time, Chinese companies have certain experience and capabilities in related fields. In the future, the two parties will combine their respective advantages to further deepen in these fields. The prospects for cooperation are still very broad."

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