Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait Yang Xin has described bilateral relations as enjoying steady and sustained growth thanks to high-level exchanges between the two countries’ leaders. According to the ambassador, meetings between President Xi Jinping and Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in December 2022 and September 2023 established important common understandings that continue to guide ties. Yang Xin pointed to Chinese Vice President Han Zheng’s November 2025 visit to Kuwait for talks on implementing that consensus along with the recent official trip by Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to Beijing from August 23 to 24. The minister’s visit coincided with the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations that were established in 1971, when Kuwait became the first Gulf Arab country to recognise the People’s Republic of China.
During the Beijing talks, both sides spoke highly of their partnership with the Chinese side expressing readiness to build a strategic partnership with a more solid foundation, higher-quality outcomes and greater substance, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported. The Kuwaiti minister conveyed appreciation for China’s long-standing support and reaffirmed adherence to the one-China principle while both nations pledged to expand cooperation across fields including investment, energy and multilateral coordination. Kuwait has received consistent Chinese backing on sovereignty issues, a stance reciprocated through Kuwaiti support for China’s core interests over more than five decades.
Yang Xin outlined China’s position on the Middle East where tensions escalated abruptly on February 28 this year. The ambassador said Beijing has actively promoted de-escalation through diplomatic efforts that included dozens of phone calls and meetings conducted by Foreign Minister Wang Yi with counterparts from across the region. President Xi Jinping advanced four propositions focused on building a common home of good-neighborliness, development, security and cooperation while China joined Pakistan in a five-point initiative aimed at restoring stability in the Gulf and broader Middle East.
The Chinese position stresses full respect for the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Kuwait and other Gulf states together with the protection of civilians, non-military assets, shipping lanes and energy infrastructure. Ambassador Yang Xin emphasised that no matter how serious the differences parties should seek solutions at the negotiating table rather than through force. He added that with steps already taken toward a ceasefire there should be no turning back and called on all sides to prioritise de-escalation as the immediate priority while China stands ready to coordinate closely with Kuwait on these efforts.
Bilateral economic ties have expanded markedly with trade volume reaching 18.58 billion U.S. dollars in 2025, an roughly 800-fold increase since diplomatic relations began, according to data from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Chinese enterprises have contributed to major Kuwaiti infrastructure under the Belt and Road framework including the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port project that supports the country’s long-term development strategy. A Chinese medical team has provided services in Kuwait for five decades delivering care to more than one million local residents, the ministry’s records show.
Cultural and people-to-people exchanges have similarly advanced with the inauguration of the first China Cultural Center in the Gulf region located in Kuwait and events such as a recent tea culture tasting that drew more than 150 participants. Ambassador Yang Xin has characterised these activities as bridges that connect the hearts of the two peoples and promote broader friendship with the Arab world. Kuwait’s National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters partnered on the tasting event as part of the national summer cultural festival, event organisers reported.
