Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
What are the progresses made in Sino-Saudi cooperation since the establishment of official diplomatic relations?
There is an ancient Chinese proverb, “Distance cannot separate true friends who feel so close even when they are thousands of miles apart.” Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 30 years ago, China-Saudi ties have continued to develop in a healthy way, with frequent high-level exchanges and expanded friendly cooperation in various fields.
In 2016, during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Saudi Arabia, the two sides established a comprehensive strategic partnership and founded the China-Saudi Arabia High-Level Joint Committee. China is Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner, while Saudi Arabia is China’s largest trading partner in West Asia and Africa. The bilateral trade volume has increased over 150 times in the past 30 years, reaching $67.216 billion in 2020. Saudi Arabia and China have always respected the principles of mutual respect, equally beneficial cooperation, and development, which is vital for the two countries to build a friendship model in diplomacy. Looking ahead, China and Saudi Arabia will continue to move forward with the blueprint drawn by the two heads of state, jointly realize national development and national rejuvenation, and benefit the two nations.
How has the establishment of the China-Saudi Arabia High-Level Joint Committee fostered strategic partnerships in areas other than diplomacy?
The China-Saudi Arabia High-Level Joint Committee has held three meetings so far and has become an important mechanism for the two nations to promote communication and coordination and implement the important consensus between the two leaders, King Salman and President Xi Jinping. The Committee has made full use of its coordinating and leadership roles under the supervision of the two heads of states, contributing to deepening political trust and integrating development strategies between the two countries. Therefore, practical cooperation in economy, trade, humanities, and energy has continued to expand and progress quickly.
What factors make China Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner in West Asia, and vice versa?
Recalling the past 30 years, we are glad to see that the bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia has maintained a healthy development momentum, yielding fruitful results.
First, the two countries both adhere to the concept of mutually beneficial cooperation, which is the prerequisite for China to become Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner and Saudi Arabia to become China’s largest trading partner in West Asia. Second, the two nations’ industries are highly complementary, offering economic and trade cooperation a broad prospect. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) development concept is in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which is also pivotal for promoting trade cooperation between the two countries.
The Mecca Light Rail built by China Railway Construction became the first light rail in Saudi Arabia. What factors influence the successful operation of Chinese construction companies in the Kingdom?
In Saudi Arabia, more than 100 Chinese enterprises are engaged in different businesses. When doing business there, Chinese enterprises always honor their commitments and bring their virtues of diligence and efficiency. They have excellently completed many large-scale projects, supported the economic development of Saudi Arabia and the practical cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia, and actively fulfilled their social responsibilities.
These are the main reasons for Chinese enterprises’ success in Saudi Arabia. As mentioned, the Mecca Light Rail built by China Railway Construction is the first light rail railway in Saudi Arabia and has won wide praise from pilgrims with a record of zero accidents.
Moreover, the Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company (YASREF) Ltd., a venture jointly funded by Saudi Aramco and China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec), is Sinopec’s first overseas refining and chemical project and China’s largest investment project in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the Jizan Economic City, which is built with many Chinese enterprises’ participation, will become a new driving force for the economic development of the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia in the future.
Please discuss the importance and role of wise leadership while confronting COVID-19 pandemic.
In the face of the sudden outbreak of COVID-19, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was the first leader to call President Xi Jinping to support China. Moreover, at King Salman’s initiative, the G20 held the G20 Extraordinary Virtual Leaders’ Summit on COVID-19. President Xi Jinping attended the meeting and, along with King Salman, advocated for the international community to remain united in the fight against COVID-19.
During the pandemic, President Xi held three telephone conversations with King Salman. Under King Salman Al Saud’s directions, Saudi Arabia immediately sent much-needed medical supplies to China. The Chinese government, provinces, cities, and enterprises also provided medical supplies to Saudi Arabia and actively supported the Kingdom in improving its capability to detect viruses. Health experts from both countries exchanged experiences on COVID-19 prevention and control. The actions of China and Saudi Arabia have shown that the virus is our common enemy, and unity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon. The friendship between China and Saudi Arabia has reached new heights in anti-pandemic cooperation.
How does the strengthening of Saudi-Chinese foreign policy affects the current status of cultural and people-to-people exchanges? What is the role of the Embassy?
In recent years, relations between China and Saudi Arabia have become deeper and more robust, thanks to increasingly close people-to-people exchanges and activities. The Embassy of China has been serving as a bridge to promote cultural cooperation between the two countries. Since 2017, there have been several cultural exchanges that vivid demonstration of friendship.
For example, the exhibition “Roads to Arabia: Archaeological Treasures of Saudi Arabia” organized by Saudi Arabia in China, the “Exhibition of Chinese Cultural Relics” organized by China in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the joint archaeological excavations unearthed relics pointing to the Maritime Silk Road in the port of Al Serrian. Last but not least the performance by the Chinese symphony orchestra and musicians at the World Heritage Site of Al-Ula.
In 2020, following the successful conclusion of the G20 Summit in Riyadh, a concert dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Saudi Arabia was broadcast live simultaneously on television and in online media. Chinese musicians played Chinese and internationally renowned music, including Saudi music “The Most Beautiful Country,” which the Saudi audience loved. I am convinced that people from the two countries will further strengthen their friendship with culture as a bond to write a new story about cultural exchanges between China and Saudi Arabia.
Similar to China, Saudi Arabia is well-known for its diverse culture. On a personal level, what makes Saudi Arabia a special place for you?
Saudi Arabia is a country that perfectly combines tradition with modernity as the birthplace of Arab and Islamic culture. I arrived in Saudi Arabia at a very good time. I was fortunate enough to experience its dynamic development together with the people of Saudi Arabia and witness the grand vision for the future that they are building under the leadership of King Salman Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. I have visited many provinces in Saudi Arabia and experienced the local customs.
What impressed me the most was the friendliness and hospitality of Saudis.
How does the Diplomatic Quarter (DQ) promote the interaction between the Chinese embassy and other foreign missions to Saudi Arabia?
The Diplomatic Quarter is a diversified community with embassies from different countries. At the same time, it is home to diplomats from all over the world in Riyadh. The Chinese embassy is dedicated to strengthening cooperation with the Diplomatic Quarter and all countries’ missions to enrich cultural exchange.
In 2019, we held a Chinese film festival in the Cultural Palace of the Diplomatic Quarter. My colleagues and I enjoy working and living in the Diplomatic Quarter and maintain harmonious working relations and personal friendships with the envoys and diplomats from all over the world.
With this in mind, I want to thank the Royal Commission for Riyadh City for the warm and considerate help.
What is your daily routine as the Ambassador of China to the KSA in the DQ?
The amenities and facilities of the Diplomatic Quarter are constantly improving, making diplomats’ work and life more comfortable and convenient. At the end of the working day, I often walk, go shopping or enjoy local delicacies.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Diplomatic Quarter hosted many cultural events in which my colleagues and I were actively involved. We all had a great time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we adhered strictly to prevention measures in response to a call from the Saudi government. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to our reunion after the pandemic.
Embassy of the Republic of China
Diplomatic Quarter
Riyadh 11693 Saudi Arabia
Contact No: 011 483 2126
Website: http://sa.china-embassy.org/eng/
Twitter:
Ambassador: @AmbChenWeiqing
Embassy: @ChinaEmbKSA
