Bilateral Relations:

Historical ties connecting the two countries:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has shared a longstanding friendly relation with the People's Republic of China for many decades, leading to its official form in 1990 following their agreement to establish full diplomatic relations between the two countries and the exchange of ambassadors, which has had an impact on trade and cultural openness between the two peoples. The historic visits made by the leaderships of the two friendly countries have laid strong foundations of deep understanding on issues of shared interest and joint actions based on mutual interests and benefits at the bilateral, regional and international levels and in international forums and organizations. The visits strengthened bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields, raised the level of coordination and consultation to the highest levels, and harmonized development initiatives on both sides, achieving the interests of the two friendly countries, their peoples, the region and the world as a whole. Diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People's Republic of China are also developing in a close and remarkable manner and are proceeding at an accelerated pace towards greater cooperation and mutual understanding in various fields, benefiting the friendly countries and peoples.

Tangible results from mutual visits reflecting the strength and sustainability of bilateral cooperation:
The visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to the People's Republic of China in 2017 had a great impact on expanding areas of cooperation between the two friendly countries in a number of political, security, military, economic and other fields, and increasing cooperation between the two countries in priority areas, such as economic, industrial and infrastructure projects. The two historic visits made by His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, to the Kingdom in 2016 and 2022 also laid a solid foundation and raised the level of bilateral relations to comprehensive strategic partnership based on trust, common interests and mutual benefits, which in turn contributed to the establishment of a high-level joint committee chaired by the prime ministers of the Saudi and Chinese sides. They also had a key role in developing bilateral relations and raising the coordination of cooperation between the two friendly countries to higher levels and wider horizons covering all fields, including trade, economy, culture, tourism, sports, technology, industry, energy, space, infrastructure and others, and created opportunities for the government and private sectors for further cooperation for the benefit of the two friendly countries and peoples. The two visits of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to China in 2016 and 2019, and the resulting outcomes and the signing of many economic and investment agreements and memoranda of understanding in various fields, were a great impetus to strengthen strategic partnership relations and expand areas of cooperation between the two friendly countries to wider horizons, and a manifestation of bilateral partnership opportunities between the two sides within the framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. They have also drawn up a roadmap for a new phase of joint cooperation between the two countries in all fields, including political, security, trade, investment, economic, energy, cultural, technological, sports, and other fields.

Comprehensive strategic partnership and a leading and guiding role at the regional and global levels:
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People's Republic of China are two countries with significant international influence and status, playing a leading and guiding role at the regional and global levels. They share a comprehensive strategic partnership and are both members of numerous international organizations, including the G20. The two sides value their strong and historically rooted relations and affirm their commitment to continue the path of cooperation and coordination at all levels to promote growth, prosperity, well-being, and stability in the region and the world. Saudi-Chinese relations are very distinguished, which has been positively reflected in strengthening cooperation between the two countries, and keeping pace with the significant developments happening around the world, by implementing the terms of the agreements on which relations are based or developing them to align with contemporary changes. During His Excellency the Chinese President's visit to the Kingdom in 2022, three summits were held: the Saudi-Chinese Summit, the first Gulf-Chinese Summit, and the first Arab-Chinese Summit. These summits resulted in significant and exceptional understandings and outcomes. The holding of the summit in the Kingdom reflects the Kingdom's prominent leading role and regional and international status. It also affirms its commitment to strengthen the strategic partnership between the Gulf and Arab countries with the People's Republic of China, which is based on cooperation, development, and mutual gains for a better future. The holding of the Gulf-China and China-Arab summits marks a milestone in the history of relations between the two sides.

Trade relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People's Republic of China: A Strong Strategic Partnership and Accelerated Growth:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People's Republic of China enjoy deep-rooted and decades-long historical relations. These relations have witnessed remarkable development at all levels, especially in the economic and trade fields. The Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Belt and Road Initiative are among the most important factors that contribute to enhancing economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Joint Membership in International Organizations:

The Kingdom and China are both members of a number of international economic organizations and blocs, such as the World Trade Organization and the G20. The Kingdom also is a founding member alongside China in establishing "the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank", which contributes to promoting economic development and improving infrastructure connectivity in Asia and beyond.

Records in Trade Exchange:

• Trade relations and trade exchange between the two friendly countries have witnessed continuous growth since the establishment of official diplomatic relations in 1990.
• Trade exchange between the Kingdom and China reached approximately 110 billion US dollars in 2023 which reflects the strength of the strategic economic partnership and the diversity of trade and investment opportunities between the two countries:
• Saudi Arabia alone represents 25% of China's total trade volume with the Arab world.
• The Kingdom is China's top trading partner in the Middle East.
• China has also been Saudi Arabia's top trading partner for nearly a decade.
• The Kingdom is one of the largest oil suppliers to China, and China is one of the largest importers of oil from the Kingdom.

Investments between the two countries have witnessed exceptional growth over the past years, and they are preferred destinations for investors from both sides. The Kingdom ranked as the top destination for Chinese foreign investments in the first half of 2022.

Remarkable Growth over the Past Five Years:

Trade relations between the two countries have witnessed remarkable development during the previous five years (2019-2023), as the volume of trade between them during this period reached more than 419 billion dollars. Moreover, China is particularly important to the Kingdom's investment strategy. The measures and policies that China is taking, including raising the level of services, and improving the business environment and systems have given it economic resilience and recovery, and encouraged more Saudi companies to invest in the Chinese market. The Kingdom is considered one of the preferred investment destinations for Chinese investors, and in 2022 Saudi Arabia ranked as the top destination for Chinese investments due to the stability and transparency of the investment environment in the Kingdom.

Cultural Relations and People-to-People Exchanges:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People's Republic of China: Excellent cultural relations and strong promising partnership

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People's Republic of China have deep-rooted historical and cultural relations, extending for more than seven decades. These relations have witnessed remarkable development in the recent years, especially in cultural, educational and scientific fields, thanks to the wise vision of the leaderships of the two friendly countries and their tireless efforts to enhance cooperation and exchange experiences in various fields. The mutual visits that took place between the leaderships of the two countries during the past decade always include - among their most prominent outcomes - cooperation in cultural fields and the related activities and initiatives, some of which have been accomplished and some of which are being worked on in accordance with the directives of the leaderships of the two friendly countries, in a way that contributes to deepening cultural cooperation, building bridges of communication between the two friendly peoples, and promoting learning and mutual benefit between the Chinese and Islamic civilizations.

Cultural exchange:

Both countries are keen to enhance cultural exchange through many initiatives and events, including:

• Holding cultural exhibitions: such as cultural, literary and dialogue exhibitions related to communication and raising cultural knowledge.
• Expanding learning of Arabic and Chinese languages: in both countries.
• Translating historical and cultural books: in the Arabic and Chinese languages.
• Exchanging visits of delegations: for intellectuals and youth.

The opening of King Abdulaziz Public Library at Peking University during the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to China in 2017 also had a great impact on the cultural rapprochement between the two countries, as the Library contains thousands of books and digital literary and scientific materials. It is also considered the largest Arab platform in the People's Republic of China. The Award of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman for Cultural Cooperation is also one of the most prominent initiatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, expressing the strength of cultural relations with China. The award aims to honor distinguished academics and linguists in both countries in the fields of scientific research and creative arts, enhance the promotion of Arabic language, literature and arts in China, and encourage mutual understanding and cultural exchange.

Cooperation in the field of education:

Cooperation in the field of education between the Kingdom and China experience a remarkable growth in the context of the interest of the leaderships of the two countries in teaching Arabic and Chinese languages and building bridges of linguistic and academic communication, including:

• Signing memorandums of understanding: to exchange experiences and student exchange programs.
• Establishing joint educational programs: such as the Chinese language teaching program in the Kingdom's schools.
• Sending students and teachers: for studying and training in both countries, and increasing the number of scholarships, universities and specializations approved by both sides for such programs.

Tourism:

Tourism is considered one of the most important sectors for bringing people together. The leaderships of the two countries attach great importance to this sector, as their directives were reflected in an increase in the number of air carriers, the opening and increase of the number of direct weekly flights between the two countries, and the signing of a number of relevant agreements in tourism sector, including the approval of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as an official tourist destination for tourists from the People's Republic of China.