(Photos: VCG)
Full name: The Kingdom of Bahrain
Area: 767 square kilometers
Population: 1.5 million (2019)
Capital: Manama
Official language: Arabic, English for general purpose
Geography: An island nation bounded by Qatar and Saudi Arabia in the southwest of the Persian Gulf. It is connected with the Saudi Arabia through a cross-sea bridge.
National Day: December 16
Economy
GDP: $38.7 billion (2018)
GDP per capita: $ 4,8000 (2018)
Currency: BD
Bahrain was the earliest oil-exploiting country in the Gulf region. In recent years, Bahrain has begun to diversify its economy, set up oil refining, petrochemical and aluminium products industries, and vigorously developed the financial industry, becoming a bank and financial center in the Gulf region.
Resources
There are 20.55 million tons of oil and 118.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves. In April 2018, Bahrain announced the discovery of a new oil and gas field with estimated reserves of 80 billion barrels of oil and 10-20 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
Politics
Bahrain is a hereditary monarchy. The head of state is inherited through the Khalifa family, who are in charge of political, economic and military power.
Health
Free medical care has been implemented throughout the country. In addition, the coverage rate of health services reaching 100 percent and the average life expectancy attains 73 years. There are six public hospitals, 43 medical centers, more than 2,000 medical staff. Besides, there is a military hospital.
Education
A free education system and nine-year persistent education system are implemented. The purpose of education is to popularize and improve the types of education and improve the teaching level. It is the first country among the Gulf Arab countries to have women’s schools, and the most educated country in the Gulf region of the Middle East.
Bilateral relations between China and Bahrain
On April 18, 1989, China and Bahrain established diplomatic relations. Since then, the cooperation between the two sides in the political, economic, cultural and news fields has developed steadily.
From June 14 to 16, 2017, Ambassador for China-Arab States Cooperation Forum Affair of Foreign Ministry Li Chengwen visited Bahrain. During the visit, Ambassador Li met with Assistant Undersecretary Shaikha Rana bint Isa Al Khalifa and Acting Director for Afro-Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mona Radhi of Bahrain and other officials at the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both sides had a broad and in-depth discussion on China-Bahrain relations and the international and regional issues of common concern.
On July 9, 2018, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Beijing with Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa of Bahrain who was in China for the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF). After the meeting, both sides signed a memorandum of understanding on jointly advancing the Belt and Road construction and an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and service passports between China and Bahrain.
On April 18, 2019, President Xi Jinping and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain exchanged congratulatory messages, warmly celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Bahrain diplomatic relations. On the same day, Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa of Bahrain also exchanged congratulatory messages.