RIYADH, Dec 7 (KUNA) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping looks forward to meeting Arab leaders at two summits, including one dedicated to Gulf Arabs in particular, in a bid to raise relations to new heights, he said upon arriving at the Saudi capital on Wednesday.
"I look forward to attending the first China-Arab Summit and the first China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, to work with the leaders of the Arab countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to advance the Chinese-Arab relations and Chinese-GCC relations to a new level," he said in a statement upon his arrival at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport.
On China's relations with the largest of the GCC states, Saudi Arabia, he said both countries have a "close relationship of friendship, partnership and fraternity over the past 32 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between them.
This relationship has been characterized by ongoing "exchange, understanding and support," he added, while "strategic mutual trust" and "practical cooperation" between them has "achieved fruitful outcomes in all fields." "The two sides maintain close communication and coordination with regard to international and regional affairs," he further emphasised.
Since the establishment of a "comprehensive strategic partnership" between them in 2016, both Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the Chinese president have taken it upon themselves to guide relations towards benefitting their peoples and contributing to the promotion of peace, stability, prosperity and development in the region, he added.
During his visit, Xi will hold in depth talks with King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman on bilateral relations alongside international and regional matters of common concern.
Xi also said he was happy to visit the Kingdom, some six years after his last visit. (end) fz.sd