China Prioritizes Developing Relations with Saudi Arabia in Public Diplomacy

RIYADH, Sept. 11, 2024 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the importance of developing relations with Saudi Arabia in China’s public diplomacy, particularly in the Middle East.

During a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Li Qiang co-chaired the fourth meeting of the China-Saudi High-Level Joint Committee.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

Premier Li Qiang extended Chinese President Xi Jinping’s warm greetings to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

Li Qiang highlighted the mutual respect, trust, and benefit that China and Saudi Arabia have maintained under the strategic guidance of their leaders. Bilateral relations have grown rapidly and deeply, achieving fruitful results in various areas of cooperation.

Expanding Cooperation and Investment

Li Qiang expressed China’s readiness to support Saudi Arabia and work together to achieve mutual success. He emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral trade, deepening cooperation in traditional areas such as oil, gas, petrochemicals, and infrastructure.

He also encouraged exploring cooperation in emerging areas like new energy, information and communication, digital, and green economy. Li Qiang called for companies on both sides to invest in each other and work together to maintain stability.

Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges

Premier Li Qiang emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in culture, research centers, education, media, and people-to-people exchanges. He encouraged both sides to successfully hold the Sino-Saudi Year of Culture in 2025.

International and Regional Affairs

Li Qiang expressed China’s support for Saudi Arabia’s greater role in international and regional affairs. He emphasized the importance of enhancing multilateral coordination with Saudi Arabia, promoting unity and cooperation among Asian countries, and upholding international integrity and justice.

Saudi Crown Prince’s Response

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud highlighted the long history of friendly exchanges between Saudi Arabia and China. He emphasized the high level of development in Saudi-Chinese relations under the strategic guidance of King Salman and President Xi.

The Crown Prince expressed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to further enhancing high-level exchanges with China, aligning development strategies, and serving the interests of both peoples in areas like energy, investment, finance, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

Bilateral Cooperation Agreements

During the visit, both sides signed several documents for bilateral cooperation in technical and vocational training, climate, and other fields.