Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) meets with Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani in Doha January 18, 2012.  [Photo/Xinhua]

DOHA - Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met here Wednesday with Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani over bilateral ties.

During the meeting, Wen said China-Qatar relations have seen rapid development although diplomatic ties between the two countries are young.

Both countries have adhered to the principles of respecting each other and treating each other as equals, the premier noted.

The Chinese and Qatari economies are highly complementary, and China is ready to work with Qatar to push bilateral political relations and pragmatic cooperation to higher levels from a strategic perspective, said Wen.

He said he has deeply felt the Arab people's friendship toward the Chinese people during his ongoing Gulf tour, which had taken him to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates before he arrived in Doha earlier Wednesday.

The development of the China-Arab relations has a solid political foundation and enjoys extensive public support, Wen said, adding that both sides hope to intensify pragmatic cooperation so as to promote their socioeconomic development and bring tangible benefits to their peoples.

The Chinese premier said he is confident in the future of the China-Arab relations.

Noting that profound and complicated changes are taking place across West Asia and North Africa, Wen said China believes that countries in the region can solve their own problems by themselves.

China supports the efforts made by Qatar and other Gulf nations in maintaining regional stability, he said, adding that the international community should play a constructive role in this regard and that China is ready to enhance communication and coordination with Qatar.

The emir, for his part, said Wen's visit has yielded fruitful results and greatly improved bilateral relations.

He said Qatar is committed to pushing forward friendly cooperation with China in various areas, carrying out Qatar-China cooperation projects and stepping up coordination and collaboration with China on regional and world affairs so as to lift the bilateral relations to higher levels.