MANAMA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Wednesday that he is confident in China's talks with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members on setting up a free trade area (FTA).

　　He said China and the six GCC member states have close economic and trade ties, with their trade volume increasing rapidly in recent years.

　　As the GCC is an economic dynamic regional bloc and China's economic strength has been greatly improved after 30 years of reform and opening up, the two sides have much room for economic cooperation, Yang said.

　　"The two sides have been conducting the FTA talks and we both are willing to accelerate the negotiation process so as to reach a deal based on mutual benefit as soon as possible," he said.

　　Once the free trade area between China and GCC is established, there would be a very bright prospect for promoting bilateral trade ties, he said.

　　Yang is here for the third ministerial meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum. He said he had made "constructive" discussions with delegates from GCC member states during the forum.