Chinese FM wraps up tour to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan

China

Chinese FM wraps up tour to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan

2025-12-16 14:38 Last Updated At：12-17 00:57

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded a five-day tour to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Jordan on Tuesday, seeking to further consolidate ties between China and its friends in the Middle East as China gears up to host the second China-Arab States Summit next year.

Wang began his tour in the UAE where he met with Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, focusing on elevating economic cooperation in various fields. Discussed issues range from investments in oil and gas, to infrastructure, the Belt and Road Initiative and boosting tech innovation. At the meeting, Wang said China supports the UAE's growing role in regional and international affairs and is planning to elevate relations with the Gulf state.

Next, Wang went to neighboring Saudi Arabia. There, he delivered a letter addressed from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. The Chinese diplomat said China is ready to be Saudi Arabia's most trustworthy partner in national development.

During his meeting with Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Wang said China stands ready to strengthen strategic communication with the GCC, safeguard common interests, and jointly respond to a turbulent and changing international landscape, so as to make new contributions to the collective self-reliance of the Global South.

China is the largest trading partner of the six Gulf Arab nations - a relationship that was valued at 250 billion U.S. dollars in 2024.

Wang also met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, where he said China has always regarded Saudi Arabia as a priority in its Middle East diplomacy and an important partner in its global diplomatic strategy, and is willing to work with Saudi Arabia to elevate bilateral ties to new heights.

"Saudi Arabia has always been an important comprehensive strategic partner of China in the Middle East. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping, His Majesty Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Highness Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the relationship between China and Saudi Arabia has maintained a healthy and stable development momentum in all fields," Wang said.

"Relations between the two countries are an important pillar for the path of economic development and the strengthening of mutual interests. In this context, we commend the 15th Chinese Five-Year Plan from 2026 to 2030 for national economic and social development," said the Saudi foreign minister.

After the meeting, Wang Yi and Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud jointly signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports from both countries.

The final leg took Wang to Jordan where he was welcomed by Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. Amman reiterated willingness to strengthen ties, especially so that the two countries see eye to eye on various political and economic matters.

Macao hosts inaugural International Forum on Mutual Learning Among Civilizations

The inaugural International Forum on Mutual Learning Among Civilizations opened in China's Macao Special Administrative Region on Tuesday, attracting over 300 participants.

The forum, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, brings together representatives of government and international organizations, and leading experts from around the world to have dialog and academic exchanges.

Under the theme of "Mutual Learning among Civilizations, Inheritance and Development," the conference features two parallel sub-forums -- "Mutual Learning among Civilizations and Diverse Coexistence" and "Conservation and Sustainable Development of Cultural Heritage"-- alongside a series of academic salons. It will also feature nearly 20 keynote speeches and discussions.

At the forum, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR government O Lam highlighted Macao's historical role as a bridge between civilizations.

"This is Macao, strong in a gentle mood, adhering to tradition in fashion, maintaining peace, harmony, courtesy and integrity. Human civilization has never advanced without exchanges and mutual learning. Macao's recent history of five centuries stands as a living record of the harmonious coexistence and common development of Chinese and Western civilizations. Here, there has been no clash of civilizations, only cultural convergence; no hierarchy of values, only dialog on an equal footing. Macao, with its history of integration of Chinese and Western civilizations, offers practical evidence, and will continue to evidence that the old logic of zero-sum game is unsustainable, while cooperation and harmony represent the true direction of human civilization," she said.

Qian Chengdan, professor of history from Peking University, also underscored the importance of civilizational diversity.

"Diversity of civilizations is among the most fundamental and vital attributes of humankind. It is hard to imagine a world with only one civilization, one voice. If there were only one single civilization and one single voice, mutual learning among civilizations will be out of the question," he said.