Riyadh: China’s President Xi Jinping arrived on Wednesday, in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, on an official visit that will last until Friday, December 9, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
This was in response to the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The President of China was received by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs at King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh.
This is Jinping’s first visit to the Kingdom since 2016, and it aims to strengthen relations between the two countries, especially in the economic field.
On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia announced in a statement that Xi Jinping will visit the Kingdom between December 7 and 9. He will hold a bilateral summit with the Saudi monarch, with the participation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The visit will also witness the holding of the “Riyadh-Gulf-Chinese Summit for Cooperation and Development” and the “Riyadh-Chinese Arab Summit for Cooperation and Development.”
The leaders of the Gulf and Arab countries will participate in the two summits to discuss strengthening joint relations in all fields, and to discuss prospects for economic cooperation.
According to the SPA, it is expected that Saudi Arabia and China will sign, during President Jinping’s visit, an agreement worth 110 billion Saudi riyals (about 29 billion dollars).
It stated that during the visit, the strategic partnership document between the Kingdom and China will also be signed, and the harmonization plan between the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative.
The launch of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China will also be announced.
