Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday called on both China and Qatar to promote their strategic partnership to a new level, noting that the relationship is facing new development opportunities.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The Chinese president pointed out that in recent years, China-Qatar relations have developed rapidly and deeply, adding the two countries' cooperation achieved pragmatic results despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Xi stressed that China and Qatar should give each other firm support. "China will, as always, support the Qatari side to maintain national sovereignty, independence, security and stability, and support Qatar to independently explore the development path that is in line with its own national conditions.

He also called for forging a long-term and stable relationship for energy cooperation.

China will encourage more Chinese enterprises to invest in Qatar and welcome the Qatari side to increase its investment in China, Xi added.

He mentioned China is willing to launch the cooperation with Qatar on giant panda, the first in the Middle East.

The Chinese president hoped that the Qatari side will continue to play an active role in promoting the conclusion of the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Free Trade Agreement as soon as possible.

The Qatari emir recalled his attendance to the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics and said he is glad to come back this time to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

He said Qatar will continue to firmly support China in maintaining its sovereignty and security.

Qatar is willing to deepen cooperation with China in the fields of energy and infrastructure construction and play an active role in Belt and Road Initiative cooperation and in deepening the cooperative relationship between the GCC and China.