Muscat – The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Oman hosted a reception on Sunday to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, with around 500 guests attending the event.

Anwar Al Jabri, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, attended as the representative of the Omani government, alongside members of the State Council and Shura Council, senior officials, foreign ambassadors, representatives of Chinese companies and members of the Chinese community in Oman.

Speaking under the theme “Set Sail with the Wind of Peace and Cooperation, Embark on a Voyage of Prosperity and Development,” Chinese Ambassador Lyu Jian highlighted what he described as the resilience of China’s economy and the country’s continued development.

He said China had successfully concluded its 14th Five-Year Plan and was moving forward with its 15th Five-Year Plan, while highlighting developments in green development, environmental protection and ethnic unity.

Turning to bilateral relations, Lyu said China and Oman continued to enjoy traditional friendship and a growing strategic partnership under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.

“China and Oman have enhanced political mutual trust, deepened mutually beneficial cooperation, expanded people-to-people exchanges, and maintained sound communication and cooperation in the face of regional risks and challenges,” he said.

The ambassador said the two countries should continue to promote the spirit of the Silk Road and strengthen the alignment between high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and Oman Vision 2040.

Lyu also addressed regional developments, stressing the importance of peace and stability in the Middle East.

“Without peace in the Middle East, there can be no peace in the world,” he said, adding that China would continue working with Oman and other countries to promote regional peace and stability.

He also reiterated China’s support for peaceful efforts to resolve the dispute between the United States and Iran, saying China supported the two countries returning to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and reaching a comprehensive agreement covering the nuclear issue and other matters.

The reception also featured an exhibition titled “China in Omani Artists’ Eyes” and an award ceremony for the China-Oman Student Letter Exchange Programme.

Guests at the reception exchanged greetings and expressed their wishes for continued friendship and cooperation between Oman and China.