The Chinese president and his hosts agree to elevate their partnership and coordinate further on energy and other issues.
« : »China and Saudi Arabia have vowed to upgrade their partnership with more top-level dialogue and coordination on energy policy. The pledge was made after a lavish welcome to Riyadh for visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping – in sharp contrast to the lacklustre reception given to US President Joe Biden in July. In meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud late on Thursday, Xi said China regarded Saudi Arabia as a foreign relations priority, especially in its ties with the Middle East. “The current international and regional situation is undergoing profound and complex changes, and the strategic importance of China-Saudi Arabia relations has become more prominent,” Xi said, according to a statement released by the Chinese foreign ministry on Friday. The two nations agreed to a meeting between their heads of state every two years and elevated the China-Saudi Arabia High-Level Joint Committee – established for trade, tech, culture, tourism and security matters – from vice-premier to premier level. In a meeting with the crown prince, who is also the Saudi prime minister, Xi said China was willing to step up energy policy coordination and expand crude oil trade with the kingdom, in addition to their existing joint exploration projects. The two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding on hydrogen energy. A number of other agreements were also signed, including a plan to “harmonise” Vision 2030 – Saudi Arabia’s ambitious economic reform agenda – with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the trade and infrastructure programme linking China to countries across Asia and Africa.
