Xi calls for joint efforts with Saudi Arabia in supporting G20's role

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for joint efforts with Saudi Arabia to make sure the G20 Summit in Hangzhou will succeed in boosting world economic growth and perfecting global governance.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Beijing.

He said the international society looks forward to seeing the G20 Summit play a positive role in boosting the global economy and enhancing international economic cooperation.

China and Saudi Arabia are both important G20 members and emerging economies. They should work together to ensure G20 functions well as the major forum for international economic cooperation, Xi said.

Mohammed, also Saudi Arabia's defense minister, will attend the G20 Summit in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, scheduled for Sept. 4-5.

Xi welcomed Mohammed's visit to China and congratulated him on the success of the first meeting of a high-level steering committee for coordinating bilateral cooperation.

China takes Saudi Arabia as an important partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, he said, adding that China is ready to work with Saudi Arabia to enrich their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Underlining the importance of cementing strategic mutual trust, Xi said China supports Saudi Arabia's efforts in safeguarding its own security and stability.

He called on the two countries to step up the alignment of each other's development strategy, so as to deepen the integration of common interests.

"We should use the Belt and Road Initiative to lead bilateral pragmatic cooperation," he said.

The president said China is willing to expand cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the sectors of infrastructure, manufacturing, finance, investment and energy.

China has a large amount of industrial capacities, equipment and innovative technologies that are internationally competitive, and can be a partner of Saudi Arabia as the latter seeks to diversify its economy and develop its manufacturing sector, Xi said.

Mohammed said Saudi Arabia and China enjoy broad common interests and share similar positions in international affairs.

Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to developing relations with China and views China as an important strategic partner, he said.

Saudi Arabia firmly supports China's stance on Taiwan, South China Sea and other issues, he stressed.

The prince said Saudi Arabia hopes to deepen political and economic ties with China through the high-level steering committee and is willing to link its development strategy with the Belt and Road Initiative.

On the sidelines of the meeting, foreign ministers of the two countries also held talks.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir strongly condemned the attack on the Chinese embassy in Kyrgyzstan, saying Saudi Arabia will "firmly stand together with China in the fight against terrorism".

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China was ready to work with Saudi Arabia to strengthen international cooperation on anti-terrorism.

Adel al-Jubeir also vowed to make joint efforts with the Chinese side to implement the consensus reached by the high-level steering committee for coordinating bilateral cooperation, which held the first meeting on Tuesday. Endit