SAUDI ARABIA and China have agreed to step up cooperation in all areas and push forward their all-round strategic partnership. [caption id="attachment_127244" align="alignright" width="300"] King Salman with the honorary doctorate awarded to him by Peking University on Friday. — SPA[/caption] This came during a meeting on Friday between Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Earlier reports said the two sides were exploring ways to find further opportunities for Chinese investments in coordination with Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives in multiple fields. According to a report in Xinhua, China supports Saudi Arabia as it advances on a development path suitable to its national conditions, maintains national sovereignty, security and development interests, and plays greater role in regional and global affairs. During his talks with King Salman on Thursday, President Xi Jinping said China was a reliable and stable market for Saudi Arabia's oil. He also called for closer cooperation in such areas as energy, communication, aviation, finance and investment, culture, education, public health, technology, tourism, media and security. Xi said China and Muslim countries respect each other and set an example of harmonious coexistence between civilizations. In Middle East affairs, China advocates respecting national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, Xi said. Separately, King Salman held talks with Chairman of Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Zhang Dejiang. Kingdom and China, the King said, desire to build strategic partnership aiming to develop relations between the two countries. "We highly appreciated China's positive stances toward the peace issues, particularly the Palestinian cause," the King said. Appreciating the role played by the National People's Congress of China in enhancing relations between the two countries, the King said he looks forward to further cooperation between the National People's Congress and the Shoura Council serving the two countries and people. Trade and investment King Salman, on the other hand, vowed to cement cooperation with China in the areas of trade, investment, finance and energy, in order to upgrade their all-round strategic partnership. Saudi Arabia highly values China's stance of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, and solving disputes through dialogue and peaceful means, he said. King Salman also appreciated China's role in maintaining international peace and security, expressing his hope for China's greater role in Middle Eastern affairs. Honorary doctorate In Friday's other engagements, King Salman launched King Abdulaziz Public Library at Peking University and received honorary doctorate from the university. President of Peking University said the opening of the library at the university enhances bilateral relations between the two countries. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques watched a documentary film about the library and its role in publishing sciences, culture and knowledge in various languages. After receiving the honorary doctorate, King Salman reiterated Saudi Arabia's interest in science and knowledge. "Science is the foundation of a nation's renaissance and progress," he said. "I am pleased at the launch of King Abdulaziz Public Library at this prestigious university. I call for further cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and China in various fields of scientific research serving the two countries and peoples," he added.
