China’s ambassador Li Chengwen

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first-ever visit to Saudi Arabia this week is to strengthen strategic partnership between the two countries, China’s ambassador Li Chengwen has said.

“This is an inter-culture dialogue for peace and progress,” Li said during a press conference on Saturday.

Custodian of the Holy Mosques King Salman is a friend of the Chinese president and they met in Beijing in 2014 during the king’s four-days visit, he said.

According to Li, the summit of the two leaders will witness signing of important deals in areas including economic, investment, commercial and technology. Energy is also on the agenda of key issues they are going to discuss, he said.

“Xi’s visit in the first year of King Salman’s reign represents vital importance for the two countries as both states are heading to a focal point of their development process,” Chengwen said.

“The Kingdom is his first destination during the Middle East visit and the two leaders will exchange views and explore ways to further expand bilateral relations. They will also discuss regional and international issues.”

The Chinese side is keen on the opportunity to work together with the Saudis to push forward cooperation at all levels and deepen strategic mutual trust to open up new prospects of a Sino-Saudi rapport, he said.

Li said trade volume between the two countries during the first 11 months of 2015 was worth $47.6 billion against $70 billion in 2014.

He pointed out that under the low oil demand and falling prices, China imported nearly 50 million tons of crude oil in 2014 and imported about 46 million tons of crude oil in the first 11 months of 2015 with an increase of two percent from Saudi Arabia.

Li said there are currently about 160 Chinese companies operating in the Kingdom, contributing positively to Saudi Arabia’s economic development.

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