Kuwait officially denied reports stating it intends to lease its islands to China for economic projects.
Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Minister Khalid al-Jarallah said in a press statement that the agreements concluded by the Emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, during his visit to China on July 7 have nothing to do with what is being promoted through social media that Kuwait is planning to rent its islands to China or agree on a Chinese presence there.
“The deal with China with regard to the project of Silk City is economic and has nothing to do with the rumors about leasing or (Chinese) presence in the Kuwaiti islands,” asserted Jarallah.
The Deputy Minister explained that China has allocated huge financial resources to support its plans of openness to countries of Africa and South Asia, where Kuwait is located.
He added that Beijing invested about $400 billion in Africa, and part of this amount had been earmarked for investment in South Asia. So its logical for Kuwait to be the top beneficiary of this Chinese trend.
Jarallah concluded that the Emir’s vision is for Kuwait to be among the first to benefit from China’s openness.
