China and Saudi Arabia pledge to widen ties to ‘all fields’ and work together on Iran nuclear programme
- President Xi Jinping and King Salman pledge to upgrade relations in a joint declaration during the Chinese leader’s visit to Riyadh
- The two sides looks to go beyond energy cooperation and into areas such as technology, infrastructure and security
![Chinese President Xi Jinping and King Salman pictured in Riyadh. Photo: Xinhua](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2022/12/09/cfc98e01-b7a2-4c68-a87c-b5e7ed44e315_4708276a.jpg?itok=VBGoYjMH&v=1670556864)
Friday’s declaration stressed the importance of continuing cooperation in “all fields” and deepening their relations within the framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership established in 2016.
Xi and King Salman agreed to enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership to include a biannual meeting between the two heads of state, and upgrade regular high-level talks from vice-premier to premier level.
The declaration included a joint statement on Iran, Riyadh’s long-time rival and a strategic partner of Beijing. The two agreed to work together to guarantee the “peaceful nature” of Iran’s nuclear programme and called on Iran to maintain a “non-proliferation regime” while emphasising “respect” for the principles of “good- neighbourliness”.
Li Shaoxian, a Middle East affairs specialist at Ningxia University, said China’s position on Iran’s nuclear programme had been consistent in supporting its peaceful use as a source of energy but opposing proliferation.
“Ensuring the peaceful use of Iran’s nuclear programme is an international consensus. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying this in the joint declaration,” he said.
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