China ready to be Saudi Arabia's most trustworthy partner in national development: Chinese FM

China

China ready to be Saudi Arabia's most trustworthy partner in national development: Chinese FM

2025-12-15 22:37 Last Updated At：12-16 14:37

China is ready to be the most trustworthy and reliable partner in Saudi Arabia's national revitalization process, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday when meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in Riyadh.

China aims to strengthen all-round, mutually beneficial cooperation with the Saudi side, consolidate traditional energy collaboration, expand cooperation in emerging and future industries, and open up new prospects for the China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic partnership, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

During the meeting, the crown prince asked Wang to convey the sincere greetings and best wishes of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and himself to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

He said that Saudi leaders highly value their deep friendship with Xi and attach great importance to developing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

The crown prince said that the Saudi side stands ready to work with China to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level, adding that Saudi Arabia always adheres to the one-China principle, firmly supports China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and resolutely opposes interference in China's internal affairs by external forces.

The Saudi side is willing to further deepen cooperation with China in areas such as oil and gas, new energy, artificial intelligence and high and new technologies, he said, adding that Saudi Arabia supports China's hosting of the second China-Arab States Summit and the second China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in 2026, and is willing to promote the early conclusion of negotiations on the China-GCC free trade agreement.

He also thanked China for its efforts in promoting the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, adding that Saudi Arabia stands ready to maintain regular communication and coordination with China in international and multilateral affairs.

Wang conveyed Xi's cordial greetings to King Salman and the crown prince, noting that Xi has forged deep friendship and mutual trust with Saudi leaders.

China welcomes the crown prince to visit China next year to attend the second China-Arab States Summit, Wang said, adding that China stands ready to work with GCC countries to strive for the early conclusion of the China-GCC free trade agreement.

Wang said that China also stands ready to continue close communication with Saudi Arabia to inject more stabilizing factors into peace and security in the Middle East.

Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei co-host regional initiative to promote consumption

As part of the Ministry of Commerce's "Shopping in China" campaign, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region Consumer Season, together with the 2026 National Consumption Promotion Month initiative, kicked off in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Monday evening, highlighting coordinated efforts to boost regional consumption.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, China Media Group and the governments of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, the event aims to showcase the region's commercial strengths and distinctive consumer offerings.

The launch ceremony featured a wide array of products from across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, including intangible cultural heritage items, local specialties, time-honored brands, and emerging consumer labels.

Organizers also unveiled the first list of specialty souvenirs from the regions and released a bilingual Shopping in China · Consumption Guide for Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, covering shopping, dining, tourism, and exhibitions and performances to foster the region as a global shopping hub.

This year's consumer season underscores regional coordination, rolling out ten joint initiatives such as AI-plus experiences and premium shopping routes. The campaign is designed to develop a year-round, integrated consumption brand spanning commerce, culture, tourism, and sports.

"By linking signature events, we aim to create year-round highlights that showcase Tianjin's unique charm and consumption vitality," said He Xiaoyang, Director of the Consumption Promotion Division at the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Commerce.

The regional initiative coordinates with the earlier announcement of the Ministry of Commerce to continue building the “Shopping in China” brand, improve trade-in programs for consumer goods, advance new consumption models and scenarios, and enhance the international consumer environment.

By expanding premium consumer goods supply and leveraging first-launch, green, healthy, and smart consumption models, the initiative explores ways to achieve coordinated consumption growth in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, a major trade and industrial powerhouse in northern China.