BEIJING — Saudi Arabia officially received the Approved Destination Status (ADS) from China. The signing ceremony marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between the two nations. The ceremony was held in Beijing on Tuesday and attended by distinguished guests including Abdulrahman Al-Harbi, ambassador of Saudi Arabia to China; Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority; and Du Jiang, vice minister of Culture and Tourism of China, This achievement paves the way for Chinese citizens to explore Saudi Arabia through group tours, facilitating easier access to the Kingdom. The attainment of ADS status carries immense importance for Saudi Arabia. It is expected to enhance connectivity between the Kingdom and China while ushering in new prospects within the tourism sector. This announcement comes in the wake of continuous efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations, including the successful Arab-China Business Conference and the Saudi-China Roadshow earlier this year. These initiatives underscore Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to becoming a key economic and strategic partner to China. Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb expressed his thoughts on this development, saying, "Underpinned by China's Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 — a historic reform blueprint aimed at driving forward meaningful economic and social development — China and Saudi Arabia are unlocking limitless opportunities and driving forward mutually beneficial collaboration." "The ADS status is expected to significantly boost inbound travel from China, creating greater ease of access needed to reach Saudi Arabia's target of attracting 3 million Chinese tourists by 2030." He added: "Today signifies the culmination of months of dedicated efforts between our nations, encapsulating our enduring and historic bilateral relations, which is built on the foundation of shared vision and mutual interests. "China's expansive connectivity vision is meticulously designed to foster economic prosperity and secure a brighter future for forthcoming generations. Within this framework, tourism emerges as one of the most pivotal and strategically significant components of our shared journey." Vice Minister Du Jiang of China's Culture and Tourism Ministry expressed his delight, stating, "I am delighted to sign the ADS agreement with Saudi Arabia, one of our key Belt and Road Initiative partners, as we mark the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative this year. "Our decades of close bilateral bond have shown that our nations share a deep appreciation for each other's rich and diverse cultures and are committed to fostering mutual understanding and respect. ADS, with its potential to enhance people-to-people exchanges and dialogue, is a testament to this shared vision." Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, also commented on the achievement, saying, "With the prestigious ADS status as our foundation, we will continue to work closely with our partners like GACA, as we facilitate the rapid expansion of air connectivity between our two countries. We are also streamlining our visa services, offering e-visas in just under three minutes and visas on arrival." "Additionally, we have integrated Chinese payment solutions like UnionPay to facilitate seamless payment for Chinese travelers. "Offering over 162 bespoke products to the Chinese market, STA looks forward to deepening our collaboration with Chinese online travel agencies and companies. Together, Saudi Arabia's tourism sector is poised to deliver extraordinary experiences, fueled by a commitment that knows no bounds." In anticipation of the ADS signing, Saudi Arabia had previously announced several initiatives geared towards enhancing its relationship with the Chinese market. These included the launch of direct flights between Jeddah, Riyadh, and Beijing by Saudia, as well as daily flights from Guangzhou. These initiatives were clear indicators of the growing demand for increased connectivity between the two nations. The Approved Destination Status achievement is poised to open doors for further collaboration with China and strengthen existing partnerships within Saudi Arabia, such as the alliance with UnionPay. UnionPay is accepted by half a million merchants across Saudi Arabia, with over 60% coverage, providing Chinese visitors with seamless payment options. Furthermore, China has already been included as one of 57 countries eligible for Saudi Arabia's e-visa and visa on arrival programs, along with enjoying complimentary hotel stays when flying onwards on Saudia as part of Saudi Arabia's 96-hour Stopover Visa program.
