China urges GCC to speed up free trade agreement talks

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to speed up negotiations on a long-discussed free trade agreement with China, citing growing global protectionism and unilateral actions that threaten the principles of free trade.

According to a statement released by China’s foreign ministry on Monday, Wang Yi stressed that the current international environment makes closer economic cooperation more urgent. He warned that free trade is increasingly “under attack” and said China and the GCC should respond by strengthening institutional economic ties.

Wang Yi made the remarks during a meeting with GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi in Riyadh on Sunday. The discussions focused on trade, investment, and broader economic cooperation between China and Gulf states. The proposed free trade agreement has been under negotiation for several years but has yet to be finalized.

The meeting took place as part of Wang Yi’s three-nation tour of the Middle East. The visit began in the United Arab Emirates and is expected to conclude in Jordan. 

While in Saudi Arabia, the Chinese foreign minister also held separate meetings with senior Saudi officials to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues.

China has in recent years deepened its economic and diplomatic engagement with the Gulf region, particularly in the areas of energy, infrastructure, and technology. 

Beijing views the GCC as a key partner in its broader Middle East strategy, while Gulf states see China as an important trade and investment partner.

The foreign ministry statement did not provide a timeline for concluding the free trade agreement but emphasized the shared interest of both sides in advancing negotiations amid ongoing global economic uncertainty.