Beijing supports Saudi Arabia’s right to defend its itself

China also expressed support for Saudi Arabia in maintaining its security and stability.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that Beijing backs Saudi Arabia’s right to defend its stability, rejects foreign interference and attacks against civilians and Saudi interests.

He was speaking on Friday during the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit where he highlighted China’s close security and energy ties with Gulf nations.

“China will continue to firmly support the GCC countries in maintaining their own security. and build a collective security framework for the Gulf,” Jinping said at the start of the China-GCC summit.

As the per the joint press statement both Saudi Arabia and China have agreed to prioritize relations as part of their foreign policy and set a model of cooperation and solidarity for developing countries.

The two sides reaffirmed that they will continue to firmly support each other’s core interests, support each other in maintaining sovereignty and territorial integrity, and exert joint efforts to defend the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states, rules of international law and basic principles of international relations.

China also expressed support for Saudi Arabia in maintaining its security and stability, and affirmed its opposition to any actions that would interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom, condemning any attacks targeting civilians and Saudi interests.

The two sides stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation through a high-level Saudi-Chinese joint committee to achieve common goals, intensify communication between the government and private sectors in the two countries, discuss economic, trade and investment opportunities, and translate them into tangible partnerships, and enhance cooperation to elevate economic and developmental ties.

Chinese president while giving his speech at the Riyadh Gulf-China Summit for Cooperation and Development further revealed that “Gulf countries and China can achieve economic and industrial integration, pointed out that the GCC has succeeded in overcoming global challenges.”

Jinping further pledged Beijing ’s unwavering support for the Gulf countries’ security and assured them that the Asian giant will continue to import Gulf oil in large quantities.

Mohammed Bin Salman the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hinted at the establishment of a GCC-China free trade zone.

King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain commended efforts by Saudi Arabia to host the three summits, citing Saudi Arabia’s strategic role in the region and world.

Founded in 1981, the GCC has six member countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The GCC countries are important partners for China in its cooperation with the Middle East. China has maintained contact with the GCC ever since its establishment.

GAROWE ONLINE