Xi boosts ties with Saudis
Updated: 2016-01-20 04:10
By Xing Zhigang in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia and Zhang Yunbi in Beijing(China Daily)
|
|||||||||||
President Xi Jinping witnessed ties between China and Saudi Arabia lifted to a higher level on Tuesday by securing wide-ranging deals covering energy, industrial capacity cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative.
The president arrived in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, at the start of a three-nation Middle East tour that will also take him to Egypt and Iran. It is his first visit to the region since he took office.
Four Saudi fighter jets escorted the plane carrying Xi into Riyadh.
Xi said Saudi Arabia is a major Arab country and Islamic power, and the two-way relationship has "achieved great leaps forward" in the past 26 years, greatly benefiting the two peoples.
Xi and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on advancing the Belt and Road Initiative and production capacity cooperation.
Other agreements were signed on energy, telecommunication and aviation.
The two countries released a joint statement on forming a comprehensive strategic partnership and agreed to boost their joint development strategies.
Annual trade between the nations reached $69.1 billion in 2014, about 230 times the figure in 1990, the year that diplomatic ties between Beijing and Riyadh were established.
Ahead of his talks with the king, Xi received a ceremonial welcome at the Royal Court. His motorcade was escorted by mounted guards, and he inspected an honor guard of troops.
Xi told the king that raising ties to a new level will "deepen bilateral strategic trust and lead the two countries to greater outcomes from mutually beneficial cooperation".
The king said Saudi Arabia supports China's Belt and Road Initiative, and is ready to deepen cooperation in fields such as trade, investment, energy, education, and science and technology.
After the talks, the king presented Xi with a King Abdul Aziz Medal.
Saudi Arabia is China's largest crude oil supplier and largest trade partner in the West Asia and North Africa region.
China is also among Saudi Arabia's top trading partners.
Wu Bingbing, a professor of Middle East studies at Peking University, said the agreements signed on Tuesday "showcase the future pathways for Saudi Arabia to upgrade its industries", and will effectively serve the country's plan to diversify its economy.
"As its consumption of crude oil surges, Saudi Arabia is seeking alternative energy sources such as nuclear and recyclable ones," Wu said.
Related Stories
China, Saudi Arabia elevate bilateral ties 2016-01-20 00:41
Books on China in Arabic put in Middle East bookstores 2016-01-20 00:21
Full text of Chinese President's signed article on Egyptian newspaper 2016-01-20 00:01
Xi's visit to Egypt to be historical, fruitful: media 2016-01-19 22:13
China's engagement in Middle East diplomacy boosts peace efforts 2016-01-19 21:19
Today's Top News
China and Gulf nations resume free trade agreement talks
IMF starts to select new chief
Merkel insists on European solution for refugee crisis
China, Saudi Arabia sign deals on Xi's visit
Hollande announces $2.2b plan to create jobs
Chinese conductor becomes first woman in charge of BBC orchestra
Taxi drivers in Budapest protests against Uber
China gains major win in trade dispute with EU
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Chinese firms making inroads in UK |
Two-child policy to add 30m workers |
Shanghai Disneyland set for June opening |
Mountaineering school hits new heights |
EU stuck in the middle as China chases MES |
Food from the Forbidden City |