Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, sees off Chinese President Xi Jinping at King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh on Wednesday. — SPA photo

Saudi Arabia and China have agreed to upgrade their bilateral relations to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership.

In a joint communique issued at the end of the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping in Riyadh on Wednesday, the two countries emphasized that they will further bolster bilateral relations in the political, economic, commercial, cultural, humanitarian, military, security and energy fields at the regional and global arenas to a higher level.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has accepted an invitation to visit China extended by Xi, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two sides expressed satisfaction over the great progress made in their relations since the inception of their diplomatic relations in 1990, particularly the announcement in 2008 of establishing strategic friendship between them.

The two sides agreed to become important partners at the global level, and look forward to establishing permanent long term strategic relations. The two countries will strengthen strategic interaction, cooperation and take confidence-building measures.

According to the communique, Saudi Arabia and China expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation in the field of energy.

China appreciated the Kingdom’s leading role in ensuring stability of the global oil market, considering it as a safe, reliable and dependable source of energy.

While appreciating the positive outcome of their cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear and renewable energies, as well as in the fields of space and the launching of satellites, the two sides emphasized their readiness to continue pushing further the cooperation in these vital sectors.

Both sides saw huge potential in enhancing cooperation and coordination in the transfer of technology, diversifying economy and developing various key sectors.

On its part, China lauded the Kingdom’s involvement as the founder member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Both sides denounced terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, in addition to rejecting the linking of terror to any religions or sects.

While underlining the need for establishing comprehensive peace in the Mideast, the two sides voiced deep concern over the escalating situation in Syria and called for a peaceful political solution to the crisis.

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