China, Saudi sign deals as Xi gets warm welcome in Riyadh

China, Saudi sign deals as Xi gets warm welcome in Riyadh

China and Saudi Arabia signed a number of agreements, including on energy and investments, after their leaders met in Riyadh on Thursday at a summit that showcased deep and growing ties beyond oil.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed the agreements at the royal palace. It includes a strategic partnership agreement and a harmonisation plan between the kingdom’s Vision 2030 that aims to wean the economy off a reliance on oil and China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Memorandums of understanding were also signed on hydrogen energy, solar power, direct investments and housing.

The leaders “reviewed aspects of partnership and joint coordination efforts” and discussed “opportunities to invest available resources” in both countries, according to state-run Saudi Press Agency.