Xi: Beijing ready to enhance ties with Riyadh

China stands ready to strengthen strategic communication and cooperation with Saudi Arabia to serve the development interests of both nations and safeguard global peace and stability, President Xi Jinping said in talks with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Thursday.

Xi met the Saudi King at Al Yamama Palace in his first state visit to the Arab country since 2016.

The two heads of state signed an agreement on a bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, and the two sides agreed to host summits between their heads of state on a biennial basis.

Xi told the Saudi king that he still has a vivid memory of his last visit, and he is glad that the key consensus the two leaders reached back then are being translated into concrete cooperation.

Beijing sees Riyadh as a key force in the multi-polar world and attaches great importance to developing the comprehensive strategic partnership, he said.

The Saudi king noted that China and Saudi Arabia have made remarkable progress in aligning their strategies and conducting bilateral cooperation in various fields.

The two sides share key consensuses on many issues, and what are China's interests are Saudi Arabia's interests as well, he said.

He stressed that he highly values relations with China and is ready to work with Xi to advance the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership and deliver more benefits to both peoples.