The Meeting was co-chaired by HE Wang Hongzhi, Administrator of the National Energy Administration of the People’s Republic of China and HE Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. HE Li Song, Ambassador and Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Vienna, delivered opening remarks via Videoconference.

Discussions focused on oil market stability, energy security and the importance of adequate and timely investment across the oil industry. Both parties reviewed the short-, medium- and long-term outlooks, underscoring China’s crucial role in global economic expansion and energy demand. Against this backdrop, the critical role of oil in meeting current and future global energy demand was highlighted, with OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2026 expecting China to remain as one of the largest contributors to global oil demand through to 2050. 

In his remarks, HE Hongzhi expressed his warm welcome to HE Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General of OPEC, and the OPEC delegation. HE Hongzhi stated that “Currently, the global energy landscape is undergoing profound changes, making dialogue and cooperation between oil-producing and consuming-nations crucial.” 

HE Hongzhi stressed that “China has always viewed OPEC as an important power and partner in the global energy governance system. Since establishing the dialogue mechanism in 2005, we have successfully held seven High-Level Dialogues and three Roundtables together, always striving to play a constructive role in global energy governance. Looking to the present and the future, China is willing to consolidate traditional friendship and deepen pragmatic cooperation with OPEC and its member countries. Together, we will address global energy challenges, contributing to global energy market stability and sustainable development.  

In his remarks, HE Al Ghais emphasized the deep ties fostered by the OPEC-China Energy Dialogue. “Twenty years on from the first formal event of the OPEC-China Dialogue, our relationship has grown into an enduring framework for cooperation on energy issues of common interest, particularly security of supply and demand, and market stability.” 

“The strength of our relationship has closely developed alongside China’s remarkable economic transformation,” the OPEC Secretary General added, “By providing affordable and reliable energy, many OPEC Member Countries have supported, and continue to support, China’s remarkable economic development.” 

HE Al Ghais concluded the meeting by expressing the OPEC Secretariat’s sincere gratitude to HE Wang Hongzhi and the NEA team for hosting today’s meeting. 

Moving forward, both sides underlined their shared commitment to fostering deeper energy cooperation, pledging to enhance technical and High-level collaboration. 

It was agreed to hold the 9th High-Level Meeting of the OPEC-China Energy Dialogue in the course of 2027 in Vienna, Austria.