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King Salman Lauds Bilateral Relations with China

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques receives Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques receives Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China (SPA)
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King Salman Lauds Bilateral Relations with China

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques receives Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques receives Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz has praised the level of bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and China.

Speaking during his reception of the Chinese Vice Premier, King Salman lauded the important role the Saudi-Chinese High Level Joint Committee is playing in improving cooperation between the two countries.

The Saudi-Chinese High Level Joint Committee, which is chaired by Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Vice Premier of the State Council of People's Republic of China Zhang Gaoli, is tasked in developing and enhancing bilateral cooperation between the Kingdom and China.

King Salman received the Vice Premier and his accompanying delegation at al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.

The King welcomed the Chinese official who expressed his happiness to visit the Kingdom and meet the King. He conveyed greetings of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

During the meeting, they reviewed the prospects of cooperation between the two countries in various fields and the latest developments at regional and international arenas.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Cabinet's Member Musa'ed al-Aiban, Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Engineer Khalid al-Falih, and Saudi Ambassador to China Turki bin Mohammed al-Madhi.

The meeting was also attended by the delegation accompanying the Chinese Vice Premier and China’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Li Huaxin.

Later, King Salman held a dinner banquet in Jeddah in honor of the Chinese official and the accompanying delegation.

At the outset of the party, the Custodian welcomed the Vice Premier and the accompanying delegation, who in turn expressed his appreciation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him and the accompanying delegation during their stay in the Kingdom.

The banquet was attended by Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region Prince Khalid al-Faisal, Prince Talal bin Saud; Prince Khalid bin Saad bin Fahd, Governor of Jeddah Province Prince Mishaal bin Majid, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Abdulaziz bin Sattam, Counselor at the Royal Court Prince Turki bin Mohammed, Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Abdullah bin Bandar, and the official delegation accompanying the Chinese senior official.

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Gulf

World Defense Show Opens in Riyadh with Expanded Int’l Participation

The exhibition includes a fully integrated airport with a 2,700-meter runway, four aircraft taxiways, and extensive display areas (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The exhibition includes a fully integrated airport with a 2,700-meter runway, four aircraft taxiways, and extensive display areas (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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World Defense Show Opens in Riyadh with Expanded Int’l Participation

The exhibition includes a fully integrated airport with a 2,700-meter runway, four aircraft taxiways, and extensive display areas (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The exhibition includes a fully integrated airport with a 2,700-meter runway, four aircraft taxiways, and extensive display areas (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The World Defense Show opened in Riyadh on Sunday, bringing together defense and military companies from around the globe to showcase advanced technologies, as Saudi Arabia accelerates efforts to localize its military industries and strengthen domestic supply chains.

The third edition of the exhibition is being held under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and organized by the General Authority for Military Industries from Feb. 8 to Feb. 12.

It features official delegations, government entities, and international firms operating in the defense and security sectors.

The event comes as part of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to build a comprehensive national defense industry and localize more than 50 percent of military spending, while boosting operational readiness and strategic autonomy.

Ahmad Al-Ohali, governor of the General Authority for Military Industries and chairman of the exhibition’s supervisory committee, said the show reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to innovation, localization, and the development of an integrated defense ecosystem.

He said the exhibition includes live air and ground demonstrations, static displays, and newly introduced zones designed to enhance cooperation between government bodies and major national and international defense companies.

Andrew Pearcey, chief executive of the World Defense Show, said the event would feature a comprehensive program starting with an official delegations initiative linking senior officials with investors and industry leaders to support international industrial and technological cooperation.

Pearcey said the “Defense Industry Lab” would highlight emerging technologies and applied research, while dedicated zones would focus on naval systems and Saudi supply chains, connecting local manufacturers and small and medium-sized enterprises with global firms.

The program also includes meetings between Saudi government entities and industry representatives to discuss operational requirements and investment opportunities.

He added that the venue includes a fully integrated airport with a 2,700-meter runway, four aircraft taxiways, and large display areas, allowing the exhibition to host integrated air, land, and maritime demonstrations.

Participation in the 2026 edition is expected to exceed previous shows, reflecting growing international interest in Saudi Arabia’s defense market.

South Korea’s air force aerobatic team, the Black Eagles, will take part in the exhibition for the first time in the Middle East. The South Korean Air Force said it would deploy 9 T-50 fighter jets, including 1 reserve aircraft, 4 C-130 transport planes, and about 120 personnel.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Saturday the Rapid Support Forces’ attack against a humanitarian aid convoy in Sudan’s Kordofan.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom expressed its strong condemnation of the attack against Al-Kuweik Military Hospital, a humanitarian aid convoy affiliated with the World Food Program, and a vehicle transporting displaced civilians.

“These acts are unjustifiable under any circumstances and are flagrant violations of all humanitarian norms and relevant international agreements,” it stressed.

“The Kingdom called on the RSF to immediately cease these violations and to fulfill their moral and humanitarian obligations by ensuring the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need, in accordance with international humanitarian law and the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023,” it added.

The Kingdom reiterated its firm position in support of Sudan’s unity, security, and stability, the need to preserve its legitimate institutions.

It voiced its rejection of “foreign interference and the continued actions of certain parties in supplying illicit weapons, mercenaries, and foreign fighters, despite their stated support for a political solution,” saying such “conduct is a primary factor in prolonging the conflict and exacerbating the suffering of the Sudanese people.”

A drone attack by the RSF hit a vehicle carrying displaced families in central Sudan Saturday, killing at least 24 people, including eight children, a doctors’ group said, a day after a World Food Program aid convoy was targeted.

The attack occurred close to the city of Rahad in North Kordofan province, said the Sudan Doctors Network, which tracks the country’s ongoing war. The vehicle was transporting displaced people who fled fighting in the Dubeiker area, the group said in a statement. Among the dead children were two infants.

Gulf

OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
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OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) General Secretariat strongly condemned on Saturday the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in Islamabad.

The secretariat stressed its categorical rejection of terrorism in all its forms, especially those targeting places of worship.

It underlined its firm stance in condemning these criminal acts, which are contrary to human values and religious principles.

The OIC offered its sincere condolences to the government and people of Pakistan and to the families of the victims.

It also reiterated its full solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts to combat terrorism and boost its security and stability.

At least 30 people killed in a suicide bombing at a Muslim mosque during Friday prayers.