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Ex-ambassadors talk about China-Saudi ties

By Song Wei (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-02-12 22:17

 

There are two key words as far as ties between China and Saudi Arabia are concerned, which is energy cooperation. "Energy cooperation has gone far beyond a buy-and-sell relation," Wu said. "When I was an ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia suggested that we build a strategic cooperation, which means Saudi Arabia needs a stable market, and China needs a stable supply."

"When I was in Saudi Arabia discussing oil trade cooperation with King Abdullah, he told me one thing which I will never forget: 'I feel quite at ease when cooperating with China; it feels like we are brothers," Wu said. "I noticed King Abdullah reiterated the relation between the two countries being like brothers during President Hu's visit yesterday. As you know, Islamic countries call each other brothers, and call non-Islamic nations friends. But from how King Abdullah referred to China, we know the relation has become closer."

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R front) is greeted by Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz during a welcoming ceremony upon Hu's arrival at the airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 10, 2009. [Xinhua]

"Both leaders of the two countries have been the most powerful impetus to their ties," Zheng said. China was the first country King Abdullah visited when he ascended the throne in 2006. Three months later, the Chinese President Hu Jintao returned a state visit to Saudi Arabia, which promoted all-around bilateral cooperation.

The sound relation between China and Saudi Arabia could also be seen when the 8-magnitude earthquake hit western China in May 2008. Saudi Arabia was among one of the first countries to give a helping hand. King Abdullah offered $60 million cash and relief materials, like 10 million tents.

"As far as I know, it was the biggest international donation," Zheng said. "Other than donating money and materials, a Saudi Arabia ambassador to China flew to the quake-hit zones to donate blood. This is a kind of story which I have never heard of elsewhere," Zheng added.

"Another thing I want to add about President Hu's visit that took place was the airport greeting. When he introduced King Abdullah to 12 Chinese school children, survivors of the May 2008 earthquake in Sichuan province that killed or left 87,999 people missing, the 84-year-old King bent over and kissed the kids," Zheng said. “I hear there will be Saudi Arabian children visiting China. I think this signifies vitality between the two countries' relation, because its future depends on the younger generation."

"As for the future of ties between China and Saudi Arabia, there is still more room. In both countries, trust plays an important part in the culture. With trust, I am quite optimistic about the future," Zheng said with a grin on his face.

"I think cooperation will focus on the establishment of a new international financial system to offset the current financial crisis," Wu said. Both President Hu and King Abdullah will attend the G20 summit scheduled for April in London this year.

This photo in a newspaper shows former Chinese ambassador to Saudi Arabia Wu Kesi sitting on a desert in Saudi Arabia in 2001. Wu was an ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 2000 to 2003. [chinadaily.com.cn]

 

 

 

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