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RTR4CLAA.jpg (Photo : Reuters)

Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, and Chinese President Xi Jinping were in talks on Monday to establish a strategic partnership between the countries they lead, according to a Xinhua News Agency report.

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During the discussion, Xi stressed Qatar's vital function that has bearing not only on its neighboring countries but also on China.

"Qatar is an important country that plays a unique role in the Middle East and Gulf region, and a major partner of China in the region," Xi said.

The Chinese president also expressed optimism about the enhanced relationship between the two countries.

"We need to plan our comprehensive cooperation from a strategic perspective," Xi said.

In a joint statement formalizing the strategic partnership, the two parties promised to improve communication between the leaders of the two countries.

The leaders also pledged to assist each other in issues that concern national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as tighten cooperation in trade, investment, energy, finance, anti-terrorism and people-to-people exchanges.

Xi and Tamim also agreed to work together in building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21th Century Maritime Silk Road.

"President Xi Jinping's proposal on the Belt and the Road will provide important opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in energy, infrastructure and other sectors," said the emir, who arrived in China on Sunday for a three-day visit requested by Xi.

Tamim also said that Chinese companies are welcome to invest in major projects in his country and that Qatar will increase natural gas exports to China.

Xi, meanwhile, voiced China's support for Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as its campaigns to protect national security and stability.

In return, Tamim said that Qatar is willing to offer assistance to China in matters concerning regional security and stability.