Beijing, Jumada I 15, 1435, Mar 16, 2014, SPA -- A joint statement was issued today on the occasion of a visit paid by Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense to the People's Republic of China.
The following is the statement's text:
At the invitation of Li Yuanchao, Vice President of the Peoples Republic of China , and in extension of the historical visit paid by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to China in 2006, Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of defense paid an official visit to the People's Republic of China during the period from 12 to 15 Jumada I, corresponding to 13 to March 16, 2014 AD.
The Crown Prince met on Jumadah I 12, corresponding to March 13, with the President of the Republic of China Xi Jinping and conveyed to him the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his invitation to the President to visit the Kingdom. The President expressed his thanks for the invitation and his desire to visit the Kingdom in a time suitable for the two sides at the earliest possible opportunity. Both sides also exchanged in-depth views on ways to develop Chinese-Saudi strategic relations of friendship and regional and international issues of common concern; and they reached agreement on viewpoints.
On 13 Jumada I, corresponding to March 14,the Crown Prince met with Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council and Vice-President Li Yuanchao, and on Jumada I 14 corresponding to March 15, he met with Chang Wanquan, the State Councilor and National Defense Minister, and senior officials. During these meetings, official talks were held between the two sides.
The two sides expressed satisfaction at the great progress that relations between the two countries have achieved since the establishment of their diplomatic ties 24 years ago. They agreed to strengthen the friendship between the two countries and the two peoples as well as deepen cooperation in all fields in order to achieve the common interests of the two sides, and expressed their determination to raise the level of friendly strategic relations, and in this framework, the two sides stressed the following:
- The importance of strengthening the strategic relationships between the two countries and further intensifying the mutual visits between the two countries' leaderships and consultation at various levels and continuing communication and cooperation in all fields, in order to serve the common interests of the two countries and their peoples, in addition to maintaining the continued political consultations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Peoples' Republic of China through the foreign ministries of the two countries to exchange views on all fields and international and regional issues of common interest. The Saudi side reiterated its commitment to the one-China policy, and the Chinese side expressed appreciation for that.
- The two sides expressed their willingness to continue strengthening cooperation in the field of energy and stressed the importance of the stability of the oil market for the global economy. The Chinese side expressed appreciation for the prominent role being played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure the stability of world oil markets as a safe, reliable and dependable source for oil supplies to global markets.
- Strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and minerals, investment and technical cooperation between the two countries and strengthening of cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, including rail, in addition to the fields of science and advanced technology, including the peaceful use of nuclear energy and space, as well as to encourage businessmen in both countries to intensify the exchange of visits in order to achieve overall development of the existing relations of cooperation between the two countries. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of international economies in the context of the international financial institutions and the Group of Twenty (G-20).
- The Chinese side appreciated the positive role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in advancing negotiations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Arab States and China on the establishment of a free trade zone between them. The two sides noted that the establishment of a Chinese-Gulf Free Trade Zone as soon as possible under the current circumstances is in the common interest to both sides, expressing their readiness to make joint efforts to resume negotiations on the establishment of Chinese-Gulf free trade zone as soon as possible to reach an agreement in the common interest of both sides.
- The Saudi side expressed its appreciation for the presentation of the Chinese side of the initiative to establish ' economic belt of Silk Road ' and ' Maritime Silk Road in the 21st century ' and expressed its readiness to communicate with the Chinese side in order to achieve the common interest.
- Supporting and encouraging cultural exchanges between the two countries at the official and popular levels, and the promotion of exchanges and cooperation in the fields of information, health, agriculture and tourism.
- Support for cooperation between the two countries in the areas of youth, sports, and technical and technological education to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries and their two friendly peoples.
- The Saudi side expressed its support for the People's Republic of China to host the Winter Olympics in 2022.
- The importance of preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction of all kinds and the two sides expressed their support for making the Middle East a zone free of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, in accordance with the international resolutions issued in this regard.
- In the framework of their keenness on the security and stability regionally and globally, both sides stressed the importance of achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and the principles of international legitimacy, in order to ensure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent Palestinian state and a unified sovereign state with its capital in East Alquds. The Chinese side expressed its appreciation for Saudi contribution to promotion of peace in the region and the Saudi side expressed praise for Chinese efforts to support the just causes of the Palestinian people and China's support for peace efforts in the Middle East.
- The two sides expressed grave concern over the seriousness of the situation in Syria. The two sides reaffirmed the need to search for an urgent peaceful political settlement of the Syrian issue and full implementation of the Statement of Geneva, which was reached on June 30, 2012 AD and which included the establishment of a transitional ruling commission with full executive powers in the interest of the fate of Syria and the overall interests of its people, and that the urgent need is to accelerate the political solution, implement the Geneva Statement, stop the bloodshed and killing of innocent people and the cease-fire. They also stressed the importance of continuing to provide humanitarian assistance and relief work for the Syrian refugees and encourage the international community to provide more support for Syrians inside Syria and abroad.
- The two sides stressed the categorical rejection of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations that threaten the peace and stability around the world and their willingness to enhance security cooperation in this regard and stressed the refusal to link terrorism with any religion or doctrine. In this regard, the Saudi side expressed its condemnation of the grave terrorist acts of violence incidents in Kunming city, China, which killed a number of innocent people, and offered their condolences to the People's Republic of China and the families of the victims.
Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Chinese leadership and the friendly Chinese people for the warm reception and hospitality he and the accompanying delegation accorded to them during the visit.
--SPA
13:53 LOCAL TIME 10:53 GMT