Sultan Haitham of Oman arrives in Beijing for a state visit; his first trip to China as sultan and the first by an Omani head of state since ties began.
Xinhua reported on 1 November that, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik of Oman arrived in Beijing that day for a two-day state visit. It is his first visit to China since becoming sultan and the first by an Omani head of state since diplomatic ties were established 48 years ago. China's foreign ministry had said it hoped to use the visit to advance the strategic partnership, with Xi to hold talks and Premier Li Qiang to meet the sultan. China News Service carried the Xinhua dispatch. Oman Observer, citing the Oman News Agency, said Haitham arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport and was received at the aircraft ramp by People's Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng and other Chinese officials, and that Xi would host an official reception at the Great Hall of the People on 2 November. Muscat Daily also reported the arrival and reception plans. Talks communiqués were not yet available and remain to be followed.
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