Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Thursday in Beijing, and the two leaders agreed to maintain the momentum of bilateral relations, promote pragmatic cooperation in all areas, and push forward their comprehensive strategic partnership.
In their talks, Xi said he was happy to see that the consensus, reached last year with King Salman in cementing cooperation in international and regional affairs, has been implemented by both sides.
China will continue to support Saudi Arabia as the country develops, maintains its national sovereignty and security, and plays a greater role in global affairs, Xi promised.
China upholds Saudi Arabia in its "Saudi Vision 2030" plan and welcomes the country to be a partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi added.
China is a reliable and stable market for oil from Saudi Arabia, Xi noted, calling for closer cooperation in such areas as energy, telecommunications, aviation, finance, culture, education, public health, technology, tourism, media and security.
Xi also emphasized that China and Muslim countries respect each other and set an example of harmonious coexistence between different cultures.
In Middle East affairs, China advocates the principle of non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, solving disputes through dialogue, giving full play to UN, and paying more heed to the voice of regional organizations and countries, said Xi.
Xi added that the solution to issues in the Middle East lies in development, and China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Middle Eastern countries and build the Belt and Road together.
King Salman voiced adherence to the One China policy and vowed to cement cooperation with China in a bid to upgrade their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Saudi Arabia highly values China's stance of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs and solving disputes through dialogue and peaceful means, King Salman said.
King Salman also appreciated China's role in maintaining international peace and security, expressing his hope for China's greater role in Middle Eastern affairs.
King Salman is on a state visit to China from March 15-18 at Xi's invitation. It is his first China visit since becoming king of Saudi Arabia in 2015.
