China and Saudi Arabia Elevate Strategic Partnership to New Heights
Vice-President Han Zheng’s visit to Riyadh marks a broad upgrade in ties, anchored in innovation, sustainable growth and multilateral cooperation
China’s Vice-President Han Zheng concluded a five-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the end of October, during which both countries pledged to elevate their comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level.
The trip included meetings with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and participation at the ninth Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh.
In talks with the crown prince, Han conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s greetings to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and underlined the steady progression of China-Saudi ties since diplomatic relations began 35 years ago.
He said that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee sends a clear signal that Beijing is advancing comprehensive reforms and high-level opening-up, which he said will provide “valuable opportunities” for deeper bilateral cooperation.
Han outlined four key proposals for future cooperation: first, to strengthen innovation-driven development and promote green growth; second, to uphold openness and cooperation and facilitate resilient supply-chains; third, to advance people-centred development and common prosperity; and fourth, to enhance shared vision and coordination in global governance.
The Chinese side indicated readiness to align its Belt and Road Initiative with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, deepen high-level exchanges, expand practical partnerships including in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, mining and investment, and accelerate cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman affirmed that bilateral political ties are at their highest level in history and reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for the one-China policy.
Riyadh expressed readiness to deepen cooperation in economy and trade, AI, renewables and mining, and acknowledged China’s constructive role in regional stability, including facilitating reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran and a constructive stance on the Palestinian issue.
The timing of the visit coincides with stalled China-Gulf Cooperation Council free-trade negotiations — Saudi Arabia has expressed concern about low-cost Chinese imports undermining its industrial diversification.
Nonetheless, the Saudi-Chinese accord emphasises investment, supply-chain cooperation and non-oil sectors as key growth areas for both states.
As China and Saudi Arabia move to broaden their partnership, they are signalling a shift from energy-centric ties toward a diversified agenda of high-tech innovation, green growth and multilateral influence.
Their enhanced alignment may reshape regional economic and strategic dynamics in the Middle East and beyond.
The trip included meetings with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and participation at the ninth Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh.
In talks with the crown prince, Han conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s greetings to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and underlined the steady progression of China-Saudi ties since diplomatic relations began 35 years ago.
He said that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee sends a clear signal that Beijing is advancing comprehensive reforms and high-level opening-up, which he said will provide “valuable opportunities” for deeper bilateral cooperation.
Han outlined four key proposals for future cooperation: first, to strengthen innovation-driven development and promote green growth; second, to uphold openness and cooperation and facilitate resilient supply-chains; third, to advance people-centred development and common prosperity; and fourth, to enhance shared vision and coordination in global governance.
The Chinese side indicated readiness to align its Belt and Road Initiative with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, deepen high-level exchanges, expand practical partnerships including in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, mining and investment, and accelerate cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman affirmed that bilateral political ties are at their highest level in history and reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for the one-China policy.
Riyadh expressed readiness to deepen cooperation in economy and trade, AI, renewables and mining, and acknowledged China’s constructive role in regional stability, including facilitating reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran and a constructive stance on the Palestinian issue.
The timing of the visit coincides with stalled China-Gulf Cooperation Council free-trade negotiations — Saudi Arabia has expressed concern about low-cost Chinese imports undermining its industrial diversification.
Nonetheless, the Saudi-Chinese accord emphasises investment, supply-chain cooperation and non-oil sectors as key growth areas for both states.
As China and Saudi Arabia move to broaden their partnership, they are signalling a shift from energy-centric ties toward a diversified agenda of high-tech innovation, green growth and multilateral influence.
Their enhanced alignment may reshape regional economic and strategic dynamics in the Middle East and beyond.
