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President Xi Jinping Arrives in Riyadh to Attend the First China-Arab States Summit and the China-GCC Summit and Pay a State Visit to Saudi Arabia
2022-12-07 23:55

On the afternoon of December 7 local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in Riyadh on a special plane to attend the first China-Arab States Summit and the China-GCC Summit and pay a state visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

President Xi Jinping’s special plane was escorted by four fighter jets from the Royal Saudi Air Force after it entered Saudi Arabia’s airspace, and by six Saudi Hawk jets from the royal aerobatic team after it entered Riyadh’s airspace.

President Xi Jinping received a grand and warm welcome when his special plane arrived at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. A 21-gun salute heralded the arrival. The Saudi Hawks painted the sky in red and yellow, colors of China’s national flag. Honor guards flanked the purple carpet. Chinese and Saudi national flags fluttered in the wind. President Xi Jinping was warmly greeted by Governor of Riyadh Province Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al Saud, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister Yasir Al-Rumayyan who works on China affairs and other key members of the royal family and senior officials of the government.

President Xi Jinping issued a written statement, in which he extended warm greetings and best wishes to the government and people of Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Chinese government and people. President Xi Jinping noted that for 32 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Saudi Arabia have enhanced strategic mutual trust, and witnessed fruitful practical cooperation in various fields. In 2016, the two countries established the comprehensive strategic partnership. President Xi Jinping noted that he has since then worked with King Salman to steer the bilateral relations on a path of significant progress, which has not only delivered benefits to both peoples, but also effectively promoted regional peace, stability, prosperity and development. During the visit, he will have an in-depth exchange of views with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of shared interest to jointly chart the course for China-Saudi Arabia relations. President Xi Jinping noted that he looks forward to attending the first China-Arab States Summit and the China-GCC Summit and working with leaders from the Arab countries and the GCC countries to bring China’s relations with Arab countries and the GCC to new heights.

Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and State Councilor, He Lifeng, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and other accompanying officials arrived on the same plane.

Chen Weiqing, China’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia also came to the airport to greet the arrival.

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