The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Peoples Republic of China have issued here yesterday a joint communiqué regarding the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Following is the text of the communiqué: "At an invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, President Xi Jinping, President of the Peoples Republic of China, made a state visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 19 - 20 January 2016. During the visit, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Chinese President held a round of talks. In a fraternal and amicable atmosphere, the two sides exchanged in-depth viewpoints on the bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual concern and have reached a wide-range and important congruence. The two sides expressed satisfaction over the great strides made by the relations between the Kingdom and China since the inception of their diplomatic relations on July 21, 1990, particularly the announcement in 2008 of establishing strategic friendship ties between them, underscoring the importance of continuing to develop the classic friendship between the two countries and friendly peoples and enhance close cooperation in the political, economic, commercial, cultural, humanitarian, military, security and energy fields at the regional and international levels in a way that upgrades the Saudi-Chinese relations to a higher level. In compliance with the joint wish of the two countries to augment and deepen cooperation in all fields, the two sides decided to upgrade bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Peoples Republic of China to a comprehensive strategic relation. In this regard, the Saudi and Chinese sides are keen to exert every effort to promote cooperation in the following fields: First: the political field: - The two sides agree that, amid the continuing development of the multipolarity in the world and the economic globalization, the strategic and global aspect of the Saudi - Chinese relations is day by day on the increase so that the two countries have each become an important partner to the other at the international arena. The two sides always view their joint relations through a far-sighted and strategic eye and manage to develop this relation with each other as a key orientation tool of their external exchange. - The two sides are keen to exchange high-level visits and enhance strategic contacts on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual concern, the tightening of strategic cooperation and consolidation of mutual strategic confidence. - The two sides confirm their interest in the creation of consultation mechanisms between the two countries in different fields and at all levels and will take effective measures to stimulate and facilitate the exchange of individual visits between them and promote contacts and mutual benefit in all fields. - The two sides confirm anew the mutual support for the vital interests of each other with the Saudi side confirms its firm commitment to one-China policy while the Chinese side confirms its support for the Saudi side's efforts to preserve the security and stability of its country, develop its economy, improve the living standards of its people and supports the Saudi sides playing a bigger role in the regional and international affairs. Second: Energy - The two sides expressed wish to continue enhancing cooperation relations in the field of energy and underscored the importance of oil market stability for the world economy. The Chinese side expressed appreciation of the prominent role being played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to guarantee the stability of the world oil market in its capacity as a safe and reliable oil supplier of the world market. Third, the scientific cooperation field: - Both sides are keen to continue to adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and joint gain for practical cooperation and activation of the role of the mechanism of the Saudi-Chinese joint committee for cooperation in economic, trade, investment and technical fields so as to constantly enrich the elements of cooperation, expand mutual investment and continue to deepen cooperation in the field of infrastructure and good dealing with mutual projects in the areas of railways, roads, bridges, ports, telecommunications and others. - The two sides express their appreciation for launching cooperation in the areas of space, launch of satellites, and peaceful use of nuclear power and new energies and the achieved results by this cooperation, stressing their willingness to continue to push forward the continuous development of cooperation in question. - The two sides express their welcome of consultation in the framework of cooperation in the building 'the economic belt of the Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Road in the 21st Century,' confirming the existence of huge potential for practical cooperation between the two countries and their willingness to enhance coordination and improve the policies of productive force to support the transfer of technology and the development of sectors and diversify the economy . - The Chinese side stresses praise of the participation of the Saudi side as a founding member in the creation of 'the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).' The two sides are keen to enhance cooperation in the relevant fields and make joint efforts to push development and renaissance in Asia region. Fourth, the security field: - The two sides stress their categorical rejection of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations which threaten peace and stability in various parts of the world and their willingness to enhance security cooperation in this regard, and confirm their refusal to link terrorism with any religion or doctrine. The Chinese side expresses its appreciation for the Saudi efforts in the establishment of the United Nations Centre for the fight against terrorism, and its support for all efforts by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other countries in the face of terrorism. Fifth, cultural and humanitarian fields: - The two sides confirm that all civilizations must exchange respect and tolerance in order to achieve harmonious coexistence among different human civilizations. The Chinese side praises the active Saudi efforts to promote dialogue and communication among different civilizations and religions. The two sides confirmed their readiness to make joint efforts to maintain the cultural diversity in a spirit of tolerance and mutual benefit, and the Chinese side appreciates the Saudi efforts for the establishment of King Abdullah International Centre for dialogue among followers of religions and cultures in Vienna. - The two sides encourage cultural exchanges between the two countries at the official and popular levels and support the communication and cooperation in the media, health, education, scientific research, tourism and other areas, and will continue to exchange the holding of cultural weeks and active participation in various cultural events held by the other side, and strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the youth and sports areas and professional skills, so as to enhance communication and friendship between both countries and peoples. Sixth, regional and international affairs: - The two sides agreed that the advance of peace and stability in the Middle East is in the common interest of the international community, and they are willing to strengthen communication and coordination on the situations in the region, in order to achieve political solutions to hot issues, and support the right of states to determine the developmental systems and ways that are commensurate with their national circumstances and with their independent will, in order to achieve permanent stability and sustainable economic and social development. - The two sides emphasize the need to prevent the proliferation of all kinds of mass destruction weapons, and expressed support for making the Middle East a zone free of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, in accordance with relevant international resolutions. - The two sides emphasize the importance of achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East in accordance with the Arab peace initiative and UN relevant resolutions to ensure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to establish an independent and unified Palestinian state with full sovereignty with its capital in East Alquds, and the Chinese side expressed appreciation for the Saudi contribution to promotion of peace in the region, and the Saudi side praised the Chinese efforts to support the just causes of the Palestinian people and China's support for peace efforts in the Middle East. - The two sides expressed grave concern over the seriousness of the situation in Syria, stressing again the need to find an urgent peaceful political settlement of the Syrian issue and the full implementation of the first Geneva statement reached on June 30, 2012 and the two statements of the year 2015 on the meetings of the Vienna International Panel on Syria and UN Security Council Resolution No. 2254; they also stressed the importance of continuing to provide humanitarian assistance and relief work for Syrian refugees and encourage the international community to provide more support for the Syrians inside and outside Syria. - The two sides emphasize their firm stance on Yemen's unity, independence and sovereignty and call on Yemenis to preserve national unity with their various social, religious and political components, spectra and currents and not take any decisions that would dismantle the social fabric of Yemen and incite internal strife. The two sides stressed their support for legitimacy in Yemen and UN Security Council relevant resolutions as well as the Gulf initiative on Yemen. - Both sides agree that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Peoples Republic of China have wide-ranging interests in many important regional and international issues and will intensify coordination and cooperation at the United Nations and the Group of 20, other international organizations and multilateral forums. The two sides confirm that the issue of reform of the UN Council Security requires consultations among all member states to push it with balanced steps and reaching a consensus on a larger scale in order to find a solution package. The Saudi side supports the Chinese side's hosting of the Group of 20 in 2016 and will make joint efforts with them for the success of the summit. - President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the friendly Saudi people for the warm reception and generous hospitality he received and the accompanying delegation during their visit, and extended an invitation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for an official visit to China in the appropriate time for the two sides. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques gladly accepted the invitation. Issued in Riyadh on Rabi'II 9, 1437, January 19, 2016.
