RIYADH: A number of bilateral and regional issues with special reference to energy security, the Middle East peace process and cooperation in the field of terrorism will top the agenda of talks between Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and senior Saudi officials. The Chinese delegation will arrive in the Kingdom on Jan. 12.
Jiechi will hold political consultations with Saudi officials and seek to cement the Sino-Saudi strategic partnership.
“Jiechi will hold talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal during his trip,” said Yang Honglin, Chinese ambassador, at a news conference on Tuesday.
Honglin said that the ministerial visit, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Beijing, will provide an opportunity to discuss important topics such as the G20 and the financial crisis, food security, climate change and cooperation in the field of terrorism.
China, he said, had always closely followed developments in the Middle East and attached importance to advancing the peace process and actively supported efforts for the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in this region.
During his Saudi trip, Jiechi will acknowledge the important role Saudi Arabia plays in maintaining regional peace and stability while ensuring international energy security.
He said that the world was experiencing complicated and profound changes. He noted the visit of King Abdullah to China in 1998 as crown prince and again in 2006 as king.
Besides high-level political exchanges, cooperation in the field of education is a key component in Sino-Saudi relations, he added. Honglin pointed out that more than 500 Chinese students were currently in Saudi academic institutions.
