On September 19, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met collectively with the Foreign Minister of the Cooperation Council of the Gulf Arab States during his attendance at the General Assembly in New York. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal, the current rotating Chairman of the GCC, and GCC Secretary General Naif, as well as State Minister Khalifa of the United Arab Emirates, Foreign Minister Ahmed of Kuwait, Foreign Minister Zayeni of Bahrain, and representatives of Qatar and Oman attended the meeting. Wang Yi said that under the care and guidance of the leaders of China and the sea, China sea relations have developed in a healthy, stable and all-round way, and are at the forefront of China's relations with Arab countries. China has been the largest trading partner of the GCC for a long time. Last year, China's trade volume with the sea increased by 44% against the trend. The practical cooperation between the two sides in various fields has yielded fruitful results, and people to people and cultural exchanges have become increasingly close. China sea relations have become a model of cooperation between China and developing countries. Under the current situation, China and the GCC countries, as good friends, partners and brothers, should continue to help each other and support each other. The Chinese side is willing to work with the GCC to consolidate mutual trust, deepen cooperation and push China sea relations to a new level. Wang Yi expressed that the Chinese side appreciates the GCC countries' fairness in Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, human rights and other issues, and understands and supports China's legitimate demands. China will continue to firmly support the GCC countries in safeguarding sovereignty, independence, security and stability, support the GCC in promoting integration, and oppose any country's interference in the internal affairs of the GCC countries. China is willing to work with GCC countries to safeguard the basic principle of non-interference in internal affairs of international relations and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. GCC members said that China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and an important partner of the Gulf States, playing an important role in safeguarding regional and world security and stability and promoting global development. The GCC is full of expectations for the bright future of China sea relations. It is willing to consolidate mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, ensure food and energy security, stabilize the supply chain, and jointly address global challenges. The maritime side firmly adheres to the one China policy and supports China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both sides uphold the principle of mutual respect and non-interference in their internal affairs. The maritime side is willing to continue to strengthen communication and cooperation with China in international affairs, maintain peace and stability, and promote development and prosperity. Wang Yi stressed that China fully supports the diversified economic development of GCC countries, and is willing to strengthen the docking of the "the Belt and Road" initiative with the development strategies of GCC countries, constantly deepen cooperation in energy, infrastructure, finance, investment, high technology and other fields, expand people to people exchanges, and create more cooperation highlights. China supports GCC countries to play a greater role in international and regional affairs, and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the sea side on multilateral platforms, jointly practice genuine multilateralism, and work together to safeguard regional and world peace and stability. Both sides agreed that they should work together to reach an agreement on the China Shipping Free Trade Agreement as soon as possible, release positive signals and help each other develop better. Both sides agreed to deepen strategic mutual trust, enhance the positioning of bilateral relations, and accelerate the formulation of the next strategic cooperation plan. The two sides also exchanged views on the Iranian nuclear issue, Yemen and other issues. (Liu Xinshe)