China, Saudi Arabia to elevate bilateral ties to new heights
發佈日期: 2025-12-15 20:06
TVB News
China and Saudi Arabia have expressed readiness to elevate their bilateral relations to new heights and improve coordination on regional and global matters.
The two countries sealed a deal on a mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and special passports.
China's top diplomat Wang Yi has pushed for the early conclusion of a free trade agreement with the Gulf nations.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Sunday and co-chaired the Fifth Meeting of the Political Sub-committee of the two countries' High-level joint committee in Riyadh.
It is the second leg of Wang's Middle East tour that began in the United Arab Emirates and will end in Jordan.
The visit coincided with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of China-Saudi diplomatic ties which are taking on growing strategic significance.
Wang said that China holds Saudi Arabia as a priority in its Middle East diplomacy.
A joint statement released by state media mentioned Beijing's support for its efforts to enhance relations with Iran, commending Riyadh's leading role and efforts "to achieve regional and international security and stability."
The ministers have expressed support for a "comprehensive and just settlement" in Gaza and an independent state for Palestinians.
Wang urged both sides to ramp up cooperation in energy and investments, as well as in new areas including renewable energy and green transformation.
Stating firm adherence to the one-China principle, the Saudi foreign minister said his country welcomes investment from Chinese enterprises and is willing to offer more preferential policies.
Wang underscored in a separate talk with Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud that China is ready to be "the most trustworthy and reliable partner" in Saudi Arabia's national revitalisation process.
He also welcomed the crown prince to visit China next year for the second China-Arab States Summit.
During meetings with the chief of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Wang has prompted countries to strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and advance the building of the Belt and Road Initiative, a central pillar of China's foreign policy under President Xi Jinping.
As for the long-running negotiations on a free trade agreement Wang said conditions for all aspects are basically mature and "It's time to take the final decisive step."
He said the deal will send "strong signal to the world about defending multilateralism" as free trade comes "under attack."
