Saudi Arabia Launches Smart Bracelet for this Year’s Hajj

Photo from the launching of the “Smart Bracelet for Pilgrims” project. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo from the launching of the “Smart Bracelet for Pilgrims” project. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Launches Smart Bracelet for this Year’s Hajj

Photo from the launching of the “Smart Bracelet for Pilgrims” project. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo from the launching of the “Smart Bracelet for Pilgrims” project. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has launched the “Smart Bracelet for Pilgrims” project, which will provide an advanced technical service for this year’s Hajj season.

Five thousand bracelets will be distributed to pilgrims, who will benefit from main services that include full information about the pilgrim’s health condition, any possible exposure to COVID-19, the percentage of blood oxygen, heart rate, and emergency medical or security assistance.

The service, which was launched by the Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and the Doyof al-Rahman Service Program, in partnership with the STC Group, adopts the concept of data and the Internet of things, and features the implementation of integrated stages that seek to develop business models and operational and technical systems, in a qualitative experience to serve the religious pilgrim journey.

The head of SDAIA, Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, underlined the importance of the new service in providing assistance to the pilgrims and achieving the relevant objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

He said that the authority “harnesses all its technical capabilities and national competencies to provide the best innovative solutions based on data and IoT technologies to serve pilgrims and those working in the concerned government and private sectors.”

For his part, the program’s executive director, Eng. Bassam bin Ghashian, said that the cooperation was the fruit of the “leadership’s unlimited support for all sectors, with the aim to enhance the experience of the pilgrims, and the services provided on the journey to the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites.”

The CEO of STC stressed that serving the pilgrims with innovative digital solutions fell within the group’s goals to contribute to enriching their experience with the latest technologies, in accordance with Vision 2030.

He added that the partnership came as a continuation of cooperation with SDAIA and its creative projects to serve the country through high-quality digital services.



Saudi Crown Prince Receives Written Message from Chinese President 

The message was received by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Riyadh during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. (SPA)
The message was received by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Riyadh during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Receives Written Message from Chinese President 

The message was received by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Riyadh during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. (SPA)
The message was received by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Riyadh during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received on Sunday a written message from China’s President Xi Jinping on bilateral relations between their two countries.

The message was received by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Riyadh during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to China Abdulrahman Al-Harbi and Director General of the General Department for Asian Affairs Nasser Al-Ghannoum.


Fifth Session of Political Committee under Saudi-Chinese Joint High-Level Committee Held in Riyadh 

The ministers held the fifth session of the Political Committee under the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee to discuss ways to bolster cooperation across all sectors. (SPA)
The ministers held the fifth session of the Political Committee under the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee to discuss ways to bolster cooperation across all sectors. (SPA)
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Fifth Session of Political Committee under Saudi-Chinese Joint High-Level Committee Held in Riyadh 

The ministers held the fifth session of the Political Committee under the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee to discuss ways to bolster cooperation across all sectors. (SPA)
The ministers held the fifth session of the Political Committee under the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee to discuss ways to bolster cooperation across all sectors. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi met in Riyadh on Sunday for talks on the comprehensive strategic partnership between their countries.

They praised the level of relations across all fields, including the economic, trade, investment, and energy sectors.

They underscored that the visit coincides with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and China, which have witnessed significant development and alignment of vision.

The ministers held the fifth session of the Political Committee under the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee to discuss ways to bolster cooperation across all sectors.

They stressed their keenness to provide mutual support on matters related to the vital interests of both countries. They underlined their support for measures that achieve security, stability, development, and prosperity in both nations, in a manner that meets the aspirations of the leadership of both countries.

The Saudi side reaffirmed its adherence to the One-China policy, recognizing the Chinese government as the sole legitimate government representing all of China, stressing that Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory.

The Chinese side expressed its support for the development and strengthening of Saudi-Iranian relations and praised the Kingdom’s leadership role and efforts to achieve regional and international security and stability.

It lauded the economic developments taking place in the Kingdom under Saudi Vision 2030. It commended the outcomes of the Arab-China Riyadh Summit for Cooperation and Development hosted by the Kingdom in December 2022.

Saudi officials expressed their support for China hosting the second China-Arab Summit and the second China-GCC Summit in 2026.

Chinese officials also expressed Beijing's readiness to participate in the World Expo 2030 Riyadh.

The two parties exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest, expressing their readiness to boost communication and coordination on these matters.

They underscored their support for efforts to achieve a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the two-state solution, international resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Both sides also signed an agreement on the mutual waiver of visas for holders of diplomatic, private, and service passports.


'Sakan' Begins First Phase of Housing Unit Handovers Under Saudi Crown Prince's Directives 

A general view of Riyadh on August 29, 2025. (Reuters)
A general view of Riyadh on August 29, 2025. (Reuters)
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'Sakan' Begins First Phase of Housing Unit Handovers Under Saudi Crown Prince's Directives 

A general view of Riyadh on August 29, 2025. (Reuters)
A general view of Riyadh on August 29, 2025. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia’s Developmental Housing Foundation (Sakan) announced on Sunday the launch of the first phase of housing unit handovers to beneficiaries across Saudi Arabia, in implementation of directives by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The announcement follows the Crown Prince's generous personal donation of SAR1 billion to the foundation through the Jood Eskan initiative to support homeownership for eligible families and beneficiaries, reflecting his firm commitment to ensuring a decent quality of life for citizens.

In line with his directives to complete designated housing projects within a period not exceeding 12 months, while adhering to the highest standards of quality and governance across all operational processes, Sakan has adopted an implementation plan that enables immediate handover commencement.

The plan includes six phases covering all regions of the Kingdom by selecting completed housing units developed by national developers and companies in accordance with approved technical specifications, ensuring a swift and tangible developmental impact.

Sakan will also, in coordination with the Kingdom's principalities, implement a monthly handover plan covering two regions per phase, aimed at streamlining beneficiary access and boosting the efficiency of handover operations.