DOHA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to elevate its relations with Qatar to a new level, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said here Monday.

    Xi arrived in the Qatari capital Doha on Monday morning for an official visit to the country.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping meets with Qatari head of state Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani in Doha on June 23, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    During a meeting with Qatari head of state Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Xi said China places great importance on developing long-term, stable, friendly and cooperative relations with Qatar.

    China will maintain high-level contacts and dialogue with Qatar on major regional and international issues, said the Chinese leader.

    The two countries should fully utilize the complementary nature of the advantages held by their respective economies to expand economic cooperation to wider areas, he said.

    Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani said Qatar is glad to see the developments of China, noting that its stability and development are of crucial significance for Asia and the world as well.

    Qatar is willing to strengthen contacts and cooperation with China by earnestly implementing all the important consensus the two countries have reached, the Emir said.

    Qatar is also ready to make positive contributions to promote the cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council and China, he said.

    The Emir expresses sincere wishes that the Beijing Olympic Games be a success.

    Qatar is the fourth leg of Xi's five-nation Asia tour, which has already taken him to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK), Mongolia and Saudi Arabia. He will also visit Yemen.