RIYADH — The Gulf-Chinese talks session, held in Riyadh on Wednesday, discussed a number of topics of common interest, most notably the developments in free trade negotiations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and China, as well as the ways to further enhance cooperation between the two sides. The session was co-chaired by Chinese Premier Li Qiang and GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. The meeting addressed the views of the two sides on a number of regional and international issues, in addition to the latest developments in the region, foremost of which was the crisis in Gaza and the ongoing serious violations by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people, according to a statement issued by the GCC. The Chinese side stressed the necessity of working to achieve a ceasefire and implementing all relevant international and UN resolutions. The two sides confirmed that the Gulf-Chinese discussions addressed the ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides, based on solid relations and shared interests, reflecting the outcomes of the first Gulf-Chinese Summit held in Saudi Arabia in December 2022. The discussions included enhancing cooperation between the two sides, ways to develop it in various fields to serve their shared interests, and the importance of implementing the Joint Action Plan for 2023–2027. Albudaiwi highlighted the importance of moving forward and concluding these negotiations in the near future.
