Beijing, Jan 17 (IANS/WAM): The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States and China agreed Friday on setting up a strategic partnership, boosting dialogue and confidence and upgrading bilateral cooperation in the best interest of the two parties.

In a final statement at the conclusion of a one-day session of the Third GCC-China Strategic Dialogue, the two sides underlined the common desire to continue coordination and cooperation with the aim of strengthening the Sino-GCC strategic relations and understanding.

The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The two sides agreed to work towards a strategic partnership through solid dialogue and trust.

They signed a plan of action for the years 2014-17 which would boost cooperation in the political, economic, trade, energy, environment protection, climate change, culture, education, health and sport fields.

The two sides also agreed to establish a free trade zone for mutual benefit, noting that they looked forward to resuming negotiations in this respect.

The dialogue was co-chaired by Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.