On May 2, 2011, the People’s Republic of China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held the second round of strategic dialogue in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The meeting was co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which holds the current rotating presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nizar bin Obaid Madani of Saudi Arabia, which holds the next presidency of the GCC, and Secretary-General of the GCC Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Sabah and Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa attended the dialogue.

Yang spoke highly of GCC’s achievements in its own integration and in safeguarding regional peace and stability since its establishment 30 years ago. Yang said China is satisfied with the development of bilateral ties and is ready to work with GCC to make full use of the strategic dialogue mechanism, plan bilateral cooperation from the macro perspective and highlight the strategic cooperation for mutual benefit.

Yang said in the next phase, both sides should build up mutual understanding, deepen political mutual trust, and continue to understand and support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns. He urged both sides to enhance coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, maintain common interests, deepen pragmatic cooperation on energy, economy and trade and further enrich and improve the collective cooperation mechanism. Both sides should also make use of energy dialogue mechanism, strengthen humanities exchanges and cement the foundation of friendship.

The GCC side noted under the current international and regional situations, this round of dialogue is of greater strategic significance. GCC attaches great importance to strategic cooperative relations with China and holds that stronger cooperation between both sides is conducive to their respective realistic and long-term interests. GCC is ready to work with China to enrich and improve cooperation mechanisms in all areas, strive for the early signing of the free trade agreement and launch the joint economic and trade committee mechanism. The GCC countries are ready to maintain communication and coordination with China on major international and regional issues including transfer of technology, renewable energy, agriculture and food security, and fight against piracy.

On the gulf situation, Yang said China understands and supports GCC countries’ efforts to safeguard regional peace and stability and attaches importance to their important role in stabilizing the regional situation.

The GCC side appreciated China’s position and role, expressing hope relevant countries will overcome the negative impact of turbulence as soon as possible and achieve stability.

Following the dialogue, both sides jointly issued a press communiqué on the Second China-GCC Strategic Dialogue.