China Stresses Comprehensive Development Partnership with Saudi Arabia

Chen Weiqing, the Chinese ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Chen Weiqing, the Chinese ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
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China Stresses Comprehensive Development Partnership with Saudi Arabia

Chen Weiqing, the Chinese ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Chen Weiqing, the Chinese ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

International attention is turned to the Saudi capital, which is hosting the first qualitative summit that brings China together with Gulf and Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia, amid extremely complex geopolitical conditions.

The Chinese ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chen Weiqing, stressed that Beijing was ready to deploy joint efforts with Riyadh, to continue deepening relations towards a comprehensive strategic partnership.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Chen Weiqing said the meetings “represent a significant historical event in the history of joint Sino-Arab relations, and reflect the new level that the relations have risen to after years of rapid development.”

He added that the Chinese-Gulf and Chinese-Arab summits would seek to jointly formulate future comprehensive development goals and long-term cooperation plans in various fields.

The ambassador emphasized that the meetings reflect the great importance that China and the Arab and Gulf countries attach to each other’s relations, and reflect the aspirations to deepen and expand cooperation between the two sides.

He noted that the areas of cooperation would include infrastructure, energy, food security, health, green development and youth empowerment.

On the Saudi-Chinese level, Chen Weiqing said that Saudi Arabia is the largest trading partner for his country in the region, while Beijing is the largest partner for Riyadh. He said that trade exchange increased by 30.1 percent.

According to the ambassador, the Chinese side views its relations with Saudi Arabia from a strategic and long-term perspective and places relations with the Kingdom as a priority for diplomacy.

He added that Beijing was ready to make joint efforts with Riyadh to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership, which will better serve the two countries and peoples.

“In recent years, Sino-Saudi relations have witnessed comprehensive development. Mutual political trust has continuously deepened, and cooperation in all fields has expanded uninterruptedly,” the ambassador said.

He continued: “The two countries have become dear friends, partners and brothers bound by shared trust, mutual benefit, common gain and joint development. They have maintained close coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs.”



Saudi Arabia Welcomes Ceasefire Agreement in Yemen

 The damaged Sanaa airport a day after Israeli airstrikes hit the premises, in Sanaa, Yemen, 07 May 2025. (EPA)
The damaged Sanaa airport a day after Israeli airstrikes hit the premises, in Sanaa, Yemen, 07 May 2025. (EPA)
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Ceasefire Agreement in Yemen

 The damaged Sanaa airport a day after Israeli airstrikes hit the premises, in Sanaa, Yemen, 07 May 2025. (EPA)
The damaged Sanaa airport a day after Israeli airstrikes hit the premises, in Sanaa, Yemen, 07 May 2025. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia welcomed the ceasefire in Yemen, announced by Oman, aiming to protect international navigation and trade, the Kingdom's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

It reiterated its support for all effort aimed at reaching a comprehensive political solution to the crisis in Yemen that would achieve security and stability in the country and region.

Oman said a day earlier that it mediated a ceasefire deal between Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis and the US.

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the US would stop bombing the Houthis in Yemen, saying that the militants had agreed to stop attacking US ships.

The ceasefire deal does not include sparing Israel, the Houthis said on Wednesday, suggesting their shipping attacks that have disrupted global trade will not come to a complete halt.

There have been no reports of Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea area since January.

The Houthis have been firing at Israel and at shipping in the Red Sea since Israel began its military offensive against Hamas in Gaza after the Palestinian group's deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

The US military has said it has struck more than 1,000 targets since its current operation in Yemen, known as Operation Rough Rider, started on March 15. The strikes, the US military said, have killed "hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders".