Saudi-Chinese Talks on Strategic Partnership, Global Developments

The Saudi foreign minister and his Chinese counterpart perform a preventive elbow bump during their meeting on Thursday in the Uzbek capital (SPA)
The Saudi foreign minister and his Chinese counterpart perform a preventive elbow bump during their meeting on Thursday in the Uzbek capital (SPA)
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Saudi-Chinese Talks on Strategic Partnership, Global Developments

The Saudi foreign minister and his Chinese counterpart perform a preventive elbow bump during their meeting on Thursday in the Uzbek capital (SPA)
The Saudi foreign minister and his Chinese counterpart perform a preventive elbow bump during their meeting on Thursday in the Uzbek capital (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met on Thursday with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi for official discussions in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent.

During the meeting, Prince Faisal and Councilor Wang reviewed strategic ties and their two countries’ close partnership.

They also discussed ways of reinforcing bilateral relations in several fields of common interest, boosting multilayered coordination and the latest developments in the region and the world.

The two officials also examined cooperation on combating the coronavirus pandemic and support for all international efforts in this regard. They voiced their anticipation for continued collaboration in fighting the spread of the COVID-19 disease.

Prince Faisal had arrived in Tashkent for a two-day international conference titled “Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity, Challenges, and Opportunities.”

During his stay in Tashkent, the Saudi minister met with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi, Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, and Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Raşit Meredow.

During the meetings, the officials discussed bilateral relations and the means to strengthen them in different fields to serve common interests.

Also, they reviewed Saudi Arabia’s global efforts and support for ways to address the coronavirus pandemic through the Kingdom’s presidency of the G20 last year.

The meetings also shed light on Vision 2030 and its programs, which aim to achieve sustainable development and provide significant investment opportunities in different sectors.

In other news, Prince Faisal received a written message from his Omani counterpart, Sayyed Badr Al-Busaidi.

The message was received on Prince Faisal’s behalf by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Walid Al-Khuraiji upon meeting Oman’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

The deputy foreign minister and Omani ambassador discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them across various fields. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues.



Iran Signals Readiness to Expand Economic, Cultural Ties with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
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Iran Signals Readiness to Expand Economic, Cultural Ties with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA

Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, described Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s recent visit to Riyadh as a clear sign on Tehran’s willingness to deepen economic and cultural relations with the kingdom.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Enayati said Tuesday’s visit focused on reviewing bilateral ties and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He emphasized Tehran’s commitment to strengthening relations with Riyadh and neighboring countries based on good neighborliness and shared interests.

During the visit, Araghchi held a series of high-level meetings with key Saudi officials, including Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Enayati said Iran is ready to broaden cooperation with Saudi Arabia across economic, trade, and cultural sectors. He highlighted that the Crown Prince expressed satisfaction with the growing understanding and collaboration between the two leading Muslim nations.

The ambassador, who attended the meetings, added that the Crown Prince reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s determination to continue advancing this path and develop relations in all fields.

Enayati also recalled Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of military aggression against Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

He said the Crown Prince stressed that regional security and stability depend on cooperation and understanding among countries in the region. This includes leveraging all capabilities to prevent escalation and insecurity and prioritizing diplomatic tools to resolve disputes, according to Iran’s envoy.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed hope that the recently agreed ceasefire will help foster security and stability across the region, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.

During a reception for Araghchi in Jeddah, the Crown Prince reaffirmed Riyadh’s support for resolving disputes through diplomatic dialogue, describing it as the best path to lasting peace.

Araghchi thanked Saudi Arabia for its condemnation of Israeli aggression and praised the Crown Prince’s efforts to bolster regional security and stability.

Enayati conveyed Araghchi’s praise for “fruitful” security and defense consultations between the two countries.

Enayati described a recent visit to Tehran by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman as “highly significant and effective in advancing cooperation to strengthen regional security and stability.”

He added that Prince Khalid firmly condemned Israeli military aggression against Iran and extended condolences for the deaths of Iranian military and civilian figures in the attacks, according to the Iranian ambassador.

Prince Khalid took to X to outline the scope of his recent talks with Araghchi, emphasizing bilateral cooperation and regional security.

On his part, Enayati told Asharq Al-Awsat that Araghchi expressed gratitude to the Saudi government for its “valuable assistance” in facilitating the return of Iranian pilgrims amid disruptions caused by Israeli military aggression against Iran.

Enayati also relayed comments from Araghchi attributing recent Israeli attacks to what he described as the “impunity” enjoyed by the Israeli regime for its crimes against the Palestinian people and ongoing aggression toward other regional states.

The Iranian foreign minister strongly condemned the continued killing and displacement of Palestinians and the ongoing occupation.

He further denounced Israel’s repeated strikes against Lebanon and Syria, condemning the United Nations Security Council’s “silence and inaction,” which he described as a key factor in regional insecurity.