Qatari premier set to visit China

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani is set to arrive in Beijing on a two-day visit to China.

In a brief statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Sunday that Sheikh Mohammed will visit China from Sept. 7 to 8.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari also confirmed the visit Sunday, saying the premier will hold a series of meetings with senior Chinese officials.

The talks will focus on strategic relations between Qatar and China and ways to strengthen them across various fields, as well as expanding economic and investment cooperation, Ansari told the Qatar News Agency (QNA).

He said the meetings will also address key regional developments and diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and promote security and stability in the region.

The two sides will also stress the need to ensure the security and freedom of international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, he added.

The visit comes amid the lingering US-Iran conflict.

Qatar, along with Pakistan, has been actively involved in ongoing mediation between Washington and Tehran to bring the two sides to negotiations to end their months-long war.