RIYADH — On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Riyadh-Gulf-Chinese Summit for Cooperation and Development at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh on Friday. In his opening speech, the Crown Prince emphasized that the summit establishes a historic new phase of Gulf-Chinese cooperation. He also announced that there have been discussions to establish a Gulf-Chinese free trade zone. Leaders and heads of delegations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the People's Republic of China attended the summit session. In his speech, the Crown Prince underscored the need for joint action to face the challenges. "We meet today in light of the many challenges facing the region and the world, and the exceptional circumstances that require us to activate joint collective action to face these challenges. Based on the lofty goals and objectives upon which the GCC was built, and based on the depth of the historical relationship and friendship that binds our countries with China, our summit establishes a new historic start for the relationship between China and Saudi Arabia that aimed to deepen cooperation in all fields, and to coordinate views on regional and international issues," he said. Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the GCC states consider China an essential and important partner for them. "The positive fruits of this partnership have been reflected in our common interests and in the security and stability of our region. The rapid economic growth and great technological development that China has achieved under the leadership of President Xi Jinping is a success story that is reflected in China's position as the global economic leader." The Crown Prince said the Gulf states attach utmost importance to raising the level of strategic partnership with China, making efforts to maximize the gains of this partnership. The GCC states are also looking forward to exchanging experiences and creating diverse partnerships with China in light of their ambitious development plans, he said. "We commend the rapid development in the Gulf-Chinese relationship and the clear diversity in the areas of strategic cooperation between the two sides, such as trade, investment, energy, education, scientific research, environment and health. The GCC countries look forward to raising the level of this cooperation to broader horizons," the Crown Prince said. "We also point out the remarkable increase in the volume of trade exchanges between the GCC countries and China during the past years, which we expect to continue to grow after discussing the negotiations for the establishment of a free trade zone between the two sides, in order to facilitate trade and governance of mutual commercial interests, in a way that allows maximum benefit from promising investment opportunities and deepening the expansion of the areas of partnership between the two sides." The Crown Prince said that the GCC countries value the strategic partnership with China, and praise the joint action plans for the period of 2023-2027 for their importance in strengthening the strategic framework for cooperation between the two sides. "The GCC states are interested to work side by side with China to explore practical ways to address global challenges, including food security and improving the integration of global supply chains and energy security." The Crown Prince reiterated the assurance on the part of the GCC states that they would continue to play their role as a reliable energy supplier for China and the world. "The GCC countries also appreciate China's endeavor to put forward initiatives concerned with revitalizing the course of cooperation and strengthening international multilateral action, foremost of which is the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative. We share the thinking with our friends in China about the importance of reorienting the international community's focus towards cooperation, development, and addressing the common challenges facing humanity." The Crown Prince also noted that the GCC states would continue to exert all efforts to enhance security and stability in the region, and support political solutions and dialogue to all regional and international tensions and conflicts, on the ground that this is the path that guarantees peace, security and prosperity. "These goals will not be achieved without the exit of mercenary militias from all Arab territories and a halt to foreign interference in their internal affairs," the Crown Prince added. He also thanked China, headed by President Xi, for its continuous endeavor to deepen Gulf–Chinese relations.
