President envisions improved Sino-Saudi teamwork

China would like to connect the Belt and Road Initiative with Saudi Vision 2030 and deepen practical bilateral cooperation with Saudi Arabia in various fields including energy, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

Xi made the remark during a phone conversation with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud the same day.

China considers Saudi Arabia an important partner cooperating in jointly building the Belt and Road, Xi said.

Noting that Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabia's crown prince, paid a fruitful visit to China in February, Xi said that the visit has promoted bilateral cooperation in all areas.

China appreciates Saudi Arabia's objective stance on issues related to its core interests and major concerns, and China firmly supports the Middle East nation's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and security, Xi said.

China appreciates Saudi Arabia's positive efforts to strengthen relations between China and Arab countries, Xi said, adding that Beijing supports Riyadh to assume the presidency of the G20 next year.

China would like to enhance coordination and cooperation with Saudi Arabia to promote the G20 to make more contributions to building an open global economy and maintaining multilateralism, Xi said.

The Saudi king congratulated China on the success of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, saying that it has played an important role in promoting international cooperation.

Saudi Arabia values its comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and it would like to enhance cooperation with China in all areas to better benefit the peoples of both countries, he said.