Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1990, the relations between China and Saudi Arabia have reached greater heights with developing trade and other relations. The bilateral relations has also been elevated to the comprehensive strategic partnership, said Chinese Consul General Tan Banglin.

Kingdom is China’s top trade partner in the Middle East and North Africa region, with bilateral trade between both countries reaching $50 billion in 2017, he told Saudi Gazette on the occasion of the Chinese National Day.

He said that exact number of Chinese expatriates that are living in the western region was not available, but it would be approximately 20,000 Chinese living in this part of the Kingdom.

The Chinese community here celebrated 69th National Day of their country on Wednesday last. National Day represents the start of one of the two golden weeks in China, a week full of so many public holidays the government has grouped them all into one long celebratory event.

The China Consulate in Jeddah would remain closed for 3 days from Oct 1 on account of National Day. On this day in 1949, the leadership of Communist China declared victory in War of Liberation against the Nationalist forces of Chiang Kai Shek.

Addressing the gathering, Banglin said “China supports Saudi Vision 2030 and is willing to link the Belt and Road Initiative with the Vision 2030 so as to provide more opportunities for the two sides to expand and deepen the friendly cooperation.”

The Consul General added that Belt and Road Initiative originated from China, but the opportunities and achievements belong to the whole world. In the past five years, various kinds of measures related to Belt and Road Initiative, under the principle of seeking shared benefits through consultation and collaboration has brought tangible profits to the participating countries. Hence the initiative has received more and more positive responses and supports from the international community.

Banglin said that China has signed documents on Belt and Road cooperations with more than 100 countries and international organizations.

Expressing gratitude to Kingdom for its support, the Chinese Consul General added that Chinese people will never forget Kingdom’s generous humanitarian assistance to the people in the disaster areas after the devastating earthquake in Wenchuan in China 10 years ago.

Banglin noted that recent ministerial meeting of China and Arab countries hosted by Saudi Arabia and China in Beijing has drawn a road map for the development of China Arab relationship.

The event was attended by Saudi Foreign Ministry’s Makkah region Director Jamal Balkhoyour and diplomatic fraternity based in Jeddah and Chinese entrepreneurs, expatriates — both men and women — and students.

Some of Saudi citizens of China origin also attended the event along with their families who remained attraction.

A short documentary film that exhibited during the event has depicted all aspects of the country, including ease in communicating by foreigner in their language with Chinese common men to top entrepreneur.