On January 19, 2016 local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in Riyadh by special plane, starting his state visit to Saudi Arabia.

When Xi Jinping's special plane entered Saudi Arabia's airspace, four fighter aircrafts of Saudi Arabia took off and escorted the plane. At about 1:35 p.m. local time, the special plane arrived at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Xi Jinping walked out of the cabin door and received a warm welcome from Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and Minister of State Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban of Saudi Arabia.

Xi Jinping extended sincere greetings and best wishes to the Saudi Arabian people. Xi Jinping pointed out that Saudi Arabia is a major Arab and Islamic country, and is also an important member of the G20. Over the 26 years since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Saudi Arabia, the bilateral relations have achieved leapfrog development with constantly deepened political mutual trust and fruitful results in cooperation in all fields, bringing the two peoples great welfare. During this visit, I will have an in-depth exchange of views with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern to promote China-Saudi Arabia friendly cooperation for greater and faster development. I believe this will be a visit of friendship with fruitful results, which will conduce to promoting China-Saudi Arabia cooperation in all fields to a new stage and elevating China's overall cooperation with countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and other accompanying officials arrived by the same plane.

H.E. Li Chengwen, Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, also greeted Xi Jinping at the airport.

After the state visit to Saudi Arabia, Xi Jinping will also pay state visits to Egypt and Iran.