The trade volume between China and Oman in 2012 was US $18.8 Billion, an increase by 18% compared to the corresponding period in 2011. Chinese Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman Wu Jiuhong, speaking to the media here, said Oman ranked third in the Arab world in terms of trade with China. There is a constant movement of trade delegations, he said and added that co-operation to boost economic and trade ties is an important aspect of the bilateral relations between the two countries. There has been an upswing in political, economic, cultural, educational, health, safety and sports co-operation between China and the Sultanate of Oman in recent years.