China's new foreign minister calls for building China-Gulf free trade zone

BEIJING China's new foreign minister Qin Gang wants to build stronger ties with Saudi Arabia and set up a China-Gulf free trade zone as soon as possible, according to a ministry statement released late on Monday.

Qin, who was just recently named to the position, said that China appreciates Saudi Arabia's continued support for issues involving China's core interests, and is highly grateful for the suggestion in a phone conversation with his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

He said that the sides should focus more on the economy, trade, energy, infrastructure, investment, finance, and high technology.

According to the statement from the Chinese foreign ministry, Qin pressed for a continuous strengthening of the China-Gulf strategic partnership and building the China-Gulf Free Trade Zone as soon as possible.

According to state media, Qin, who just wrapped up a tour to several African countries, also had phone conversations with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra and Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafierro.