Riyadh, Beijing pledge to take relations higher
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia and China on Wednesday celebrated the 20th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah sent a cable of greetings to Chinese President Hu Jintao on the occasion, commending the strategic relations.
"I take this opportunity to praise the remarkable progress achieved by the strategic friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries in all fields," King Abdullah said in his message.
He said Saudi Arabia wanted to advance bilateral relations to an even higher level to benefit the people of the two countries. King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, extended their hearty greetings to President Hu and the Chinese people on the occasion.
The Chinese president said in a statement that Sino-Saudi relations had seen comprehensive development. "The Chinese government and its people have always viewed the bilateral links from a strategic perspective," he said.
"As the international community is undergoing complex and profound transformations, it is in the fundamental interests of both Chinese and Saudi people ... to strengthen and consolidate Sino-Saudi relations, properly deal with issues in hot spots, and meet various common challenges," Hu said, adding that it would contribute to world peace and stability.
Arab News
