His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received a written message from His Excellency President Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, relating to the strong bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, and ways to support and strengthen them in various fields.
This message comes within the framework of ongoing communication between the leaderships of the two countries, reflecting the depth of the comprehensive strategic partnership that unites the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People's Republic of China. The message underscores the shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation and coordination on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Historical context and growing partnership
Saudi-Chinese relations are witnessing rapid development and qualitative leaps, especially after the historic visit of the Chinese President to Riyadh in December 2022, which saw the holding of three summits (Saudi, Gulf, and Arab) with China. These summits laid the foundation for a new phase of cooperation, culminating in the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, which aims to align the development aspirations of both countries.
Integration between Vision 2030 and the Belt and Road Initiative
This message is particularly significant given the strong alignment between Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and China's Belt and Road Initiative. The Kingdom seeks to leverage Chinese expertise in technology, infrastructure, manufacturing, and renewable energy, while Beijing views Riyadh as a pivotal partner in the Middle East and a crucial economic gateway to the region's markets.
Economic and political importance
Economically, China is Saudi Arabia's top trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching record highs in recent years. Cooperation extends beyond the energy and oil sectors to include investments in digital technology, space, and logistics.
Politically, China has played a prominent role as a trusted international mediator, clearly demonstrated in the Saudi-Iranian agreement signed in Beijing. This reflects the Kingdom's great confidence in China's role in promoting regional security and stability. The current message reaffirms this continued diplomatic and political momentum and the Chinese leadership's commitment to ongoing consultations with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince on global developments, serving the interests of both friendly nations and strengthening international peace and security.
