Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia and China have signed a mutual visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports. The agreement was inked as part of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the Kingdom at the invitation of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

The ministers held talks during which they reviewed the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two friendly countries. They commended the level of relations in all fields, including economic, trade, investment, and energy sectors. They noted that this visit coincided with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which have witnessed significant development and a convergence of visions, bringing mutual benefit to both friendly nations.

Prince Faisal and Wang Yi attended the fifth session of the Political Committee of the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee. During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in all fields. Both sides affirmed their commitment to exchanging support on issues related to the vital interests of their respective countries and their support for all efforts that achieve security, stability, development, and prosperity in both friendly nations, fulfilling the aspirations of their leaderships.

The Saudi side reiterated its commitment to the One China policy, affirming that the government of China is the sole legitimate government representing all of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. The Chinese side expressed its support for developing and strengthening Saudi-Iranian relations and commended the Kingdom's leading role and its efforts to achieve regional and international security and stability.

The Chinese side also praised the economic developments taking place in the Kingdom within the framework of Vision 2030 and commended the outcomes of the Riyadh Arab-Chinese Summit for Cooperation and Development, which the Kingdom hosted in December 2022. The Saudi side expressed its support for China hosting the Second China-Arab Summit and the Second Gulf-Chinese Summit in 2026.

The Chinese side also expressed its readiness to participate in Expo 2030, which will be hosted by the Kingdom. Views were exchanged on regional and international issues of common interest, and both sides expressed their readiness to enhance communication and coordination on these matters. They affirmed their support for efforts aimed at finding a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian question and establishing an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the two-state solution, relevant UN resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative.