RIYADH, 24 April 2006 — Chinese President Hu Jintao yesterday emphasized his country’s readiness to help bring stability to the Middle East. “The Middle East is a vital region in the world and there will be no achievements and development in the world without a stable Middle East,” Hu told the Shoura Council here.
“China is ready to work with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries to strengthen peace and development in the Middle East and to build a world of peace, stability and prosperity,” he said in a keynote address to the consultative body.
Hu is on a three-day visit to cement growing political and economic ties with Saudi Arabia, which was China’s top oil supplier in 2005, providing 17.5 percent of its imports with 443,600 barrels per day (bpd). Hu was the second foreign head of state after French President Jacques Chirac to address the Shoura.
“When the Cold War ended... many hot issues remained without resolution, and new conflicts have caused more instability,” the Chinese leader said, in an apparent reference to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the US-led invasion of Iraq.
On Saturday, Hu met with GCC Secretary-General Abdul Rahman Al-Attiya in Riyadh and discussed vital issues including the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program. Attiya said that China and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council could sign a free-trade agreement by the end of the year.
While addressing the Shoura, Hu called for effective negotiations to build a harmonious Middle East. “This is the only feasible means to settle conflicts and disputes,” Hu stressed, assuring Saudis of China’s readiness to work with the Kingdom and other Arab countries.
The spirit of inclusiveness must be upheld in handling differences among various civilizations and jointly build a harmonious place where all civilizations coexist and accommodate each other, he said.
He pointed out that countries in the region have their own histories and cultural heritages. He added that endeavors and rights of different countries in the region to independently choose their own social systems and paths of development should be respected and guaranteed.
While stressing the need for development, he said the right to choose one’s own social system was an important foundation and safeguard for eternal peace and stability. Development should be realized through mutually beneficial cooperation, he said, adding that such cooperation would promote understanding and friendship between countries.
While welcoming the president, Saleh Bin Humaid, chairman of the Shoura, explained the council’s achievements and its efforts to boost the Kingdom’s development. He said that the setup of the Shoura Council is similar to that of the Chinese consultative system. “Both Saudi Arabia and China have formulated systems that suit their capabilities, culture and traditions.”
While commending the stand taken by Beijing at international forums, Humaid said that it should also work for peace in the region and help alleviate the conditions of those who suffer in Iraq and Palestine.
Hu arrived here on Saturday and met with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. The two leaders later oversaw the signing of five key pacts to promote cooperation in security, defense, health, trade and youth affairs. He also held separate talks with Crown Prince Sultan yesterday on regional and international issues.
Hu had a busy schedule on Saturday when he also met with prominent Saudi businessmen at the Royal Guest Palace. He said the Kingdom is China’s first strategic partner in the Middle East and both countries could forge ahead for mutual benefits. He called upon Saudi and Chinese businessmen to double their efforts to enhance bilateral relations.
The businessmen who took part in the meeting included Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid, chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI), Fahd Al-Sultan, its secretary-general, Saad Al-Moajil, chairman, Industrial Committee, Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, president of the Saudi-Sino Friendship Society, and Mohamed Al-Ajlan, who has joint venture projects in China. “The one-hour meeting with the president focused on bilateral trade and investment,” Al-Sultan told Arab News. He added that the areas of discussions included financial and banking sectors, industries, petrochemical projects, the cement industry and other joint ventures.
Describing Hu’s speech, Al-Sultan said it demonstrated the president’s keenness to promote bilateral trade. “The meeting of the two heads of state on two occasions within a short span of three months indicates the high level of interest of the respective leadership to enhance economic relations.”
Answering a question, Al-Sultan said no decisions had been taken at the meeting since the talks centered on finding ways and means to improve the existing bilateral trade and to overcome obstacles, if any.
King Abdullah visited China in January this year as part of a four-nation Asian tour. During that visit the two countries signed five agreements including a landmark energy deal to expand cooperation in oil, gas and minerals.
According to a Chinese official, Hu had discussed a proposal to set up a Saudi-fed strategic oil reserve in China when he met Abdullah on Saturday. The reserve would be on top of the oil supplies Saudi Arabia exports to China for its daily needs. The reserve would be set up in a coastal city in southeast China, to be used by Beijing in case of emergency.
The official, who requested anonymity, did not say how much oil would eventually be stockpiled. But he said Riyadh and Beijing were discussing the feasibility of the plan and ways of cooperating to carry it out.
Following his talks with Hu on Saturday, Prince Alwaleed ibn Talal, chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, said: “We have significant investments in China and will continue to invest where there is growth.” Besides matters of bilateral interest, Alwaleed discussed matters regarding his investments in China.
Hu’s program yesterday started with a meeting with the members of his community including representatives of Chinese companies. He also visited the national museum in Riyadh. He later flew to the Eastern Province, where he visited the King Fahd Causeway, Saudi Aramco and ended his day’s visit with a dinner hosted by Governor Prince Muhammed ibn Fahd.
During Hu’s visit to SABIC headquarters in Riyadh, Muhammed Al-Mady, SABIC president and CEO, highlighted the economic development in China. “SABIC is proud to have entered the Chinese market at an early stage. Since the 1980s, SABIC has been supplying fertilizers, synthetic fibers, iron, steel and plastic products to Chinese customers. We will reinforce our presence in China by establishing mega industrial projects. The Chinese market is a key strategic global petrochemical market from SABIC’s point of view. As the Kingdom’s leading company, we would continue to foster close commercial relations with China,” he added.
The Chinese leader discussed with SABIC officials a $5.2 billion joint venture, a refinery cum petrochemical complex, in China.
Saturday’s agreement between China’s Sinopec and Aramco provides for increased cooperation in gas exploration and possible cooperation in oil exploration, a Chinese official said. Sinopec is already drilling for gas in the Empty Quarter. Sinopec is building a refinery with Aramco in the Chinese province of Fujian. Another joint refinery venture is planned in Qingdao city.
The Chinese president, who came from the United States, was due to leave for Morocco today and go on to Nigeria and Kenya.
— With input from agencies.
