Calling China a good friend of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Wednesday said China is willing to play a constructive role in safeguarding regional security. 

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with GCC Secretary General Nayef bin Falah Al-Hajraf in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh. 

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the GCC. The Chinese foreign minister pointed out the GCC has been playing an important role in promoting the socioeconomic development of its member states and has become the most dynamic regional organization in the Middle East and the Gulf region.

Noting this year also marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-GCC ties, Wang said the two sides have made great progress and are "standing on a new historical starting point." 

Wang said China is willing to take the anniversary as an opportunity to discuss the upgrading of bilateral ties. He also called for efforts to strengthen mutual support from a long-term and strategic perspective to firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty and deepen cooperation in various fields.  

"We hope the two sides will complete the negotiations on the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at an early date to help the GCC member states overcome the downward pressure of the global economy and achieve economic recovery as soon as possible," Wang said. 

China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the GCC in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and build a community of health for all, Wang added.  

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Stressing GCC-China relations are based on mutual trust and respect, Al-Hajraf said the GCC and its member countries highly appreciate the strategic cooperation with China. He affirmed that China topped the list of the GCC to restart FTA negotiations. The GCC hopes that both sides will complete the negotiations as soon as possible and strengthen cooperation in the field of digital economy and high technology to achieve mutual benefits, he added. 

The secretary general also voiced hope for learning from China's experience in epidemic prevention and control. 

"The GCC highly appreciates and welcomes China's important role in maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East and is willing to further strengthen cooperation with China in this regard," he said. 

Wang is on official visits to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, and will also pay a working visit to Oman.