The Saudi diplomat highlighted the two countries' shared commitment and pragmatic approaches to true multilateralism, particularly in addressing common and global challenges.
RIYADH, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- "The bilateral relationship between Saudi Arabia and China is exceptional," as they see each other "eye to eye" for expanding cooperation and upholding multilateralism, said a senior Saudi diplomat.
"China is our largest trading partner, and Saudi Arabia is the largest for China in the Middle East. We have huge investments in China, in petrochemicals and other areas, and Chinese companies have huge investments in Saudi Arabia, too," said Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, minister of state for foreign affairs and climate envoy, in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
Highlighting the remarkable momentum in cooperation between the two countries over the past three decades, Al-Jubeir said their comprehensive strategic partnership encompasses political, economic and cultural dimensions, emphasizing the strong ties between the leaderships of both countries and the growing connections between their people.
"When people know each other, when they trade with each other, they develop common interests. These common interests bring countries closer together … Chinese tourists come, see Saudi Arabia, and meet with Saudis. Maybe the next time, they'll invest. And it's true to Saudis," he said.
He stressed the transformative power of such exchanges that go beyond commerce. "It's no longer just about buying and selling. It's about people-to-people contact."
Saudi Vision 2030 has further deepened this partnership, opening avenues for collaboration in technology and climate initiatives, he said.
"Our scientific and educational institutions, our companies, and public sectors are working together," said Al-Jubeir. "So there is a very strong partnership that hopefully will continue to benefit both countries and both peoples."
Al-Jubeir also highlighted the two countries' shared commitment and pragmatic approaches to true multilateralism, particularly in addressing common and global challenges.
"Saudi Arabia and China are both classified as developing countries and important players in the global system," he said.
"The international system needs to be fair and just when it comes to accommodating the needs and requirements of developing countries," he said, adding that the two countries share a responsibility toward other developing countries to help them access technology, funds and markets.
"It is important in the multilateral arenas to deal with logic, wisdom and science based on problem-solving, rather than scoring political points or pointing fingers," said the minister.
"Like Saudi Arabia, China also has an interest in stability and security in the international system, so our two countries need to see eye to eye," he said.■