The agreements and memorandums of understanding signed between Saudi Arabia and China during the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to Beijing will enhance the existing institutional framework for relations between the two countries and give a further impetus to these ties in their mutual interest. A joint statement issued at the end of the visit, said that the two sides had agreed that the ties between the two countries will have a prominent position in their respective foreign relations policies. King Salman was in China from March 15 to 18 when he held talks with President Xi Jinping. They exchanged views on developing the strategic relations between the two countries, and discussed several regional and international issues of common interest. They held identical views on a number of important issues, the joint statement said. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques also met with the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Li Keqiang, and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, Zhang Dejiang. The two sides expressed satisfaction over the significant progress made in bilateral relations, especially after President Xi Jinping's visit to the Kingdom in January 2016. During that visit, they had reaffirmed the importance of the high-level joint committee between the two countries in enhancing friendly relations between the two countries and peoples and in strengthening cooperation in all fields. Within this framework, both sides expressed a will to further strengthen cooperation in political, security, military, economic, investment, health, education and mining fields. They also agreed to increase cooperation between the two countries in priority areas, such as economic and industrial projects, electronic government, infrastructure, advanced technology and space. They also sought to expand investments between the two countries in various sectors, including oil, renewable energy, electricity and peaceful uses of atomic energy. The statement said that the two sides agreed to maintain the pace of leadership visits between the two countries, keep avenues for consultations open at all levels, and continue to exchange views on issues of mutual interest. China stressed its support for Saudi Arabia's policies to maintain stability in the region, and its positive role in regional and international affairs. Saudi Arabia reiterated its steadfast support for the One China policy. The two sides stressed their commitment to the Doha Declaration adopted at the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in May 2016, which stressed the need to respect the rights enjoyed by sovereign states and the States Parties of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in choosing the ways of settling disputes independently. The Chinese side supported Saudi Vision 2030 and said it was keen to be a global partner in the Kingdom's efforts to fulfill the vision and diversify its economy. Saudi Arabia stressed its readiness to be a global partner in building the "21st Century Maritime Silk Route Economic Belt" and supported China's hosting of the "Belt and Road" Forum for international cooperation. The two sides expressed their keenness to raise the level of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of energy, including maintaining oil supplies for the growing Chinese market. The two sides stressed the importance of stability in the oil market in the interest of the global economy. The Chinese side appreciated the role played by Saudi Arabia – a safe and reliable source of oil for the world, ensuring international oil market stability. They agreed to strengthen international economic and trade cooperation within the framework of the Group of 20and financial and international institutions. The two sides also hailed the role of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The two sides agreed to exert joint efforts with the Gulf Cooperation Council to accelerate the establishment of the Chinese-GCC free trade zone. The two countries condemned extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, stressing that they had no links to any race or religion. They agreed to cooperate in fighting terrorism and extremism. The Chinese side expressed its appreciation for the steps taken by the Kingdom in this regard by forming the Islamic Military Alliance to Combat Terrorism. The two countries agreed to promote cultural exchange between the two countries at the official and popular levels, and encourage communication and cooperation between the two sides in the fields of education, health, science, technology, tourism and media. The two sides expressed the importance of achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian problem in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and the UN Security Council relevant resolutions. The Kingdom highly appreciated the efforts exerted by the Chinese side in this regard. The Chinese side also appreciated the Kingdom's efforts in enhancing peace and stability in the region. The joint communiqué further said that the two sides had stressed the importance of finding a solution to the Syrian crisis based on the Geneva Declaration-1 and the Security Council Resolutions 2254 and 2268. They stressed the importance of providing humanitarian and relief assistance to the Syrian refugees and the displaced people inside and outside Syria. The two countries emphasized the importance of maintaining the unity of Yemen and achieving its security and stability. They also stressed the importance of a political solution to the Yemeni crisis based on the Gulf initiative, results of the National Dialogue Conference, and the Security Council Resolution 2216, confirming their support for the legitimate authority in Yemen. The two sides also expressed their support for the efforts exerted by Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, UN envoy to Yemen, to find a political settlement between the Yemeni parties and the international exerted efforts in this regard, as well as to facilitate humanitarian access to all regions in Yemen. The two sides expressed concern over the situation in Libya, and hoped that the national reconciliation government will be be able to restore security and stability to the country, and maintain its integrity with the support of the international community. They expressed their support for the efforts of the Iraqi government in fighting the terrorist organization, Daesh, stressing the importance of preserving Iraq's unity, stability and independence. King Salman expressed his appreciation to the Chinese President and people for the warm reception and generous hospitality accorded to him and the accompanying delegation.
