China FM to Visit Saudi Arabia on Wednesday

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. (Reuters file photo)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. (Reuters file photo)
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China FM to Visit Saudi Arabia on Wednesday

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. (Reuters file photo)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. (Reuters file photo)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday on an official visit to the Kingdom.

China’s Ambassador in Riyadh Chen Weiqing said that he is visiting at the invitation of his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan. He will also meet with Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf during the trip.

Chen told Asharq Al-Awsat that Wang will discuss with the Saudi leadership and Prince Farhan issues of joint interest and means to bolster bilateral relations.

He added that Beijing shares Riyadh’s views on regional and international affairs.

Wang will discuss the crisis in Yemen and underscore China’s emphasis of the importance of the country’s unity and security. He will tackle the newly announced Saudi initiative aimed at resolving the crisis and paving the way for a comprehensive political solution.

They will also tackle the crisis in Syria and ways to push forward the political crisis.

China is working closely with Saudi Arabia and other friendly and allied countries to reach a political solution to the crisis, he stressed.

Saudi Arabia and China have set examples in cooperation that should be emulated by other countries, continued Chen.

On the coronavirus pandemic, the envoy said China was fully prepared to cooperate with the Kingdom to support the World Health Organization and unify global efforts to combat the outbreak and provide vaccines.

He revealed that China has so far produced five vaccines and was testing 17 others.

China has succeeded in curbing the outbreak and will achieve broader economic growth this year, he went on to say. It will work in coordination with Saudi Arabia to push forward global recovery in wake of the pandemic.



Pakistan Supports Saudi Arabia, Welcomes Regional Efforts to De-escalate Situation in Yemen

The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad.  AP file photo
The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad. AP file photo
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Pakistan Supports Saudi Arabia, Welcomes Regional Efforts to De-escalate Situation in Yemen

The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad.  AP file photo
The Pakistani flag is seen in Islamabad. AP file photo

Pakistan has confirmed its support for Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity, and for all efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement issued Wednesday that Pakistan strongly opposes any unilateral actions taken by any Yemeni party that escalate the situation, undermine peace efforts, and threaten peace and stability in Yemen and the region.

The statement said Pakistan welcomes regional efforts to de-escalate the situation and maintain peace and stability in Yemen, expresses its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and reaffirms its commitment to the Kingdom’s security.

It added that Pakistan maintains its strong support for resolving the Yemen issue through dialogue and diplomacy, and hopes that the Yemeni people and regional powers will work together to reach a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the issue and safeguard regional stability.


Saudi-Palestinian Discussions Focus on Gaza, the West Bank

The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA
The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA
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Saudi-Palestinian Discussions Focus on Gaza, the West Bank

The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA
The Saudi Foreign Minister met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Wednesday in Riyadh with Vice President of the State of Palestine and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Hussein Al Sheikh.

During the meeting, they discussed developments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including the dire humanitarian conditions facing Gaza residents, ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire, and Israeli escalation in the West Bank. They stressed the importance of the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.

The two sides also underlined the need for the release of Palestinian Authority funds, the protection of the Palestinian banking system, and commitment to implementing the comprehensive peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump.

The meeting highlighted Saudi Arabia’s support for the reform program launched by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and praised the efforts of the US president.

The two sides affirmed the importance of connecting Gaza to the West Bank and continuing efforts, in coordination with brotherly countries and international partners, to ensure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the realization of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al Farhan and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Manal Radwan.


Saudi Arabia Stresses Support for Somalia’s Sovereignty

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Support for Somalia’s Sovereignty

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call on Wednesday from Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdisalam Abdi Ali.

Discussions stressed the importance of preserving the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia and addressed regional developments and other issues of mutual concern.