On October 18, 2012, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held a group meeting with envoys to China from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Foreign Minister Yang said that in recent years, relations between China and GCC countries have made steady, rapid progress with frequent high-level visits between both sides. President Hu Jintao and other Chinese leaders have visited the GCC countries many times, while leaders of the GCC countries have also paid several visits to China. The two sides have established a strategic dialogue mechanism. Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the GCC countries in January has furthered mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in various fields. The two sides have seen rapid development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation and maintained close communication in international and regional affairs. In the next stage, the two sides should continue to maintain high-level visits and multi-level exchanges, deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields, expand cultural exchanges, strengthen communication and coordination on major international and regional affairs and push forward the relationship between China and the GCC and its member states.

Yahya A. S. Alzaid, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the GCC, said on behalf of envoys of GCC countries that GCC countries attach great importance to developing relations with China and believe that the GCC and China have firm brotherhood, profound traditional friendship and extensive common interests. The GCC countries' policy of being committed to safeguarding world peace, security and development has many things in common with China's Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The two sides should further strengthen cooperation and promote bilateral relations.

Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun attended the meeting.