China, Kuwait pledge cooperation during global financial crisis

BEIJING, May 11 -- China and Kuwait pledged to work together to

deal with the global financial crisis during a meeting between Premier Wen

Jiabao and Kuwait Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah on Monday.

Al-Sabah is on his first visit to China since he became Emir of Kuwait in

2006.

Kuwait was the first Gulf Arab country to forge diplomatic ties with China.

Wen called the bilateral ties "solid" and cooperation "fruitful".

He said that nations with different social systems and cultural backgrounds

could benefit from cooperation as long as they respected each other.

Wen stressed China valued traditional friendship with the Arab countries

and supported their efforts to safeguard country's sovereignty, independence and

dignity.

Al-Sabah said his visit showed Kuwait's desire to develop relations with

China, vowing to build a long-term, stable, and sustainable relationship.

He also emphasized the coordination between the two countries on

international issues and issues concerning the Gulf and the Arab region.