Zhou Jian, Chinese ambassador to Qatar, meets with Assistant Foreign Minister for Regional Affairs of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi on Thursday. Photo: Chinese Embassy in Qatar

Zhou Jian, the Chinese ambassador to Qatar, on Thursday met with Assistant Foreign Minister for Regional Affairs of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, and the latter reiterated that Qatar firmly supports the one-China principle.

Qatar firmly supports the one-China principle and I would like to promise our Chinese friends that Qatar will never change this position, the assistant foreign minister said during the meeting.

There is only one China in the world, Taiwan island is an inalienable part of China's territory and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, Zhou said. 

World Cup Qatar is a grand gathering for fans from around the world to promote the spirit of sports, and should not become a stage for political manipulation by "Taiwan independence" forces, Zhou said. 

China appreciates Qatar's timely correction of the title related to China's Taiwan island on the Hayya App and hopes Qatar will continue to abide by the one-China principle during the whole process of preparation and hosting of the World Cup, Zhou noted.

Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi echoed Zhou's opinion that the World Cup is a grand event to promote the spirit of sports and should not be politicized. 

China-Qatar ties have witnessed rapid development in recent years. China has become the largest trading partner and import source of Qatar for two consecutive years, and became the largest export destination of Qatar for the first time in 2021. 

Global Times