Saudi Gazette report BEIJING – Saudi Arabia and China have expressed their determination to raise the level of strategic relations and agreed to deepen cooperation in all fields. A joint communique issued on Sunday on the conclusion of the official visit to China by Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, said the two sides expressed their willingness to continue strengthening cooperation in the field of energy and stressed the importance of the stability of the oil market. The Chinese side expressed appreciation of the prominent role being played by the Kingdom to ensure the stability of world oil market. The Kingdom and China agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, minerals, infrastructure, including railways, science and advanced technology, including the peaceful use of nuclear energy. They also agreed to encourage businessmen in both countries to intensify the exchange of visits. The Chinese side appreciated the Kingdom's positive role in advancing negotiations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China on the establishment of a free trade zone between them. The two sides noted that the establishment of a Chinese-Gulf Free Trade Zone as soon as possible under the current circumstances is in the common interest of both sides. The two sides expressed satisfaction at the progress that relations between the two countries have achieved since the establishment of their diplomatic ties 24 years ago. The two sides expressed grave concern over the seriousness of the situation in Syria. They reaffirmed the need to find an urgent peaceful political settlement of the Syrian issue and full implementation of the Statement of Geneva, which was reached on June 30, 2012 and which included the establishment of a transitional ruling commission with full executive powers in the interest of the fate of Syria and the overall interests of its people. They also stressed the importance of continuing the humanitarian assistance and relief work for Syrian refugees and encourage the international community to provide more support for Syrians inside Syria and abroad. The two sides stressed the categorical rejection of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations that threaten the peace and stability. They expressed their willingness to enhance security cooperation in this regard and stressed the refusal to link terrorism with any religion or doctrine. In this regard, the Saudi side expressed its condemnation of the grave terrorist acts of violence in Kunming city, China, which killed a number of innocent people.
