The Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom, Yang Honglin, extended his government's warm greetings to the people of Saudi Arabia, Chinese students in the Kingdom, and the members of the Chinese business community on the occasion of China's National Day on Oct. 1 and the forthcoming observance of Eid Al-Fitr. He underscored the rapid development in Sino-Saudi relations over the past 18 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Saudi Arabia. Yang said that Sino-Saudi relations experienced rapid development in various fields of bilateral relations after the exchange of visits between the two heads of state in 2006 and the Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's successful visit to Saudi Arabia last June. “We have seen the deepening political trust, intensified high-level exchanges, upgrading of economic and energy cooperation and positive progress in the areas of culture, education and religion between the two countries. Saudi Arabia has been the largest trading partner of China in the region of West Asia and Africa for seven consecutive years. China and Saudi Arabia have become good partners and sincere friends with mutual trust and substantial cooperation,” Yang said In a statement exclusively sent to Saudi Gazette, Yang praised King Abdullah's wise leadership. He said Saudi Arabia has witnessed an accelerated rate of national development and improved living standards. “As an influential country in the Middle East and the Gulf and the largest energy supplier in the world, Saudi Arabia plays an important role in maintaining the peace and stability of the region, pushing forward regional economic development, enhancing Arab solidarity, promoting dialogue among different religions and civilizations and safeguarding the stability of international energy supplies,” the statement said. The Chinese envoy said two significant events this year brought the two peoples much closer: One is that King Abdullah donated large amounts of cash and material aid to the victims of the Sichuan earthquake, a gesture that showed the deep caring and generous friendship of the Saudi people and moved the Chinese nation as a whole. The other is that Saudi Arabia actively participated in the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics. The Olympics provided an opportunity for athletes of both countries to learn more about each other, Yang concluded. __
