China and Saudi Arabia pledge to widen ties to ‘all fields’ and work together on Iran nuclear programme
- President Xi Jinping and King Salman pledge to upgrade relations in a joint declaration during the Chinese leader’s visit to Riyadh
- The two sides looks to go beyond energy cooperation and into areas such as technology, infrastructure and security
Friday’s declaration stressed the importance of continuing cooperation in “all fields” and deepening their relations within the framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership established in 2016.
Xi and King Salman agreed to enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership to include a biannual meeting between the two heads of state, and upgrade regular high-level talks from vice-premier to premier level.
The declaration included a joint statement on Iran, Riyadh’s long-time rival and a strategic partner of Beijing. The two agreed to work together to guarantee the “peaceful nature” of Iran’s nuclear programme and called on Iran to maintain a “non-proliferation regime” while emphasising “respect” for the principles of “good- neighbourliness”.
Li Shaoxian, a Middle East affairs specialist at Ningxia University, said China’s position on Iran’s nuclear programme had been consistent in supporting its peaceful use as a source of energy but opposing proliferation.
“Ensuring the peaceful use of Iran’s nuclear programme is an international consensus. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying this in the joint declaration,” he said.
