Okaz/Saudi Gazette KUALA LUMPUR — Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 took center stage in the celebrations of the Kingdom's 90th National Day, organized by its Embassy in Beijing. Several prominent Chinese and Saudi figures, including officials and diplomats, attended the function in which the centuries-old historic ties between the two countries were unfurled. Gu Shengzu, the vice-chairperson of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and first vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, was the guest of honor at the function, which was attended by Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Ding Li, Saudi Ambassador to China Turki Al-Madi, several ambassadors of Arab countries accredited to China, former ambassadors of China to the Kingdom, and prominent members of the Chinese community and the media persons. Speaking on the occasion, Al-Madi highlighted the lofty position enjoyed by the Kingdom among the world countries in many respects. He drew attention to the great progress and development witnessed by the Kingdom during the last 90 years since its unification by King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, and during the period of his sons, who succeeded him as the kings of the country. "The Kingdom is witnessing a qualitative leap encompassing all the political, economic, developmental and social fields and has become a beacon of progress and prosperity under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman," he said. Al-Madi pointed out that the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and China's strategic "Belt and Road Initiative" tend to make the impossible a reality. "This would not have been possible without having consensus and strong relationship based on respect and trustful friendship between the two countries. The Kingdom and China are working together to consolidate major principles of international relations, the most important of which is mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs," he noted. Al-Madi also emphasized the great significance of the fast-growing relations between the two countries, especially after the Kingdom took over the presidency of the G20. "The Kingdom's presidency of the G20 this year establishes the pioneering role that the Saudi leadership plays, and we are a short period of time away from this important event. We believe that the summit of the leaders of the G20 countries will be a distinguished and unprecedented one in an exceptional year," he said adding that the fight against coronavirus will be one of the major items in the agenda of the summit.
