RIYADH: President of China Xi Jinping met the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia on Thursday. According to Arab news, about 30 billion US dollars in agreements will be inked between China and Saudi Arabia, as Beijing seeks to shore up its Covid-affected economy and as Riyadh pushes to further diversify its economic and political ties. President Xi Jinping and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held the meeting at Yamamah Palace.
Xi Jinping will hold meetings with GCC leaders
Several Arab leaders arrived in Riyadh ahead of a summit with President Xi, the head of the world’s number two economy. President Xi Jinping will also hold separate meetings with the six members of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) before leaving Saudi Arabia on Friday. China, the top consumer of Saudi Arabia’s oil, has been enhancing its ties with the Arab world.
State media of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said that more 20 agreements worth 29.3 billion dollars will be signed between the two sides. According to Arab News, it was expected that President Xi will hold some important meetings including with King Salman today.
Economic cooperation
Saudi Arabia’s investment minister said that this week’s visit will further contribute to raising the investment cooperation and pace of economics between Saudi Arabia and China. The Chinese President will also hold talks before the summit with other Arab leaders in Riyadh.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, President of Tunis Kais Saied, and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas have arrived in Riyadh.
Reports said that Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the Prime Minister of Morocco and the caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon will also attend the summit. Earlier, China’s Foreign Ministry termed Xi’s visit as the largest-scale diplomatic engagement between China and the Arab world. – APP
