Bright future for Saudi Arabia, China relations

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in the Kingdom on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in the Kingdom on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in the Kingdom on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in the Kingdom on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in the Kingdom on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in the Kingdom on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in the Kingdom on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in the Kingdom on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in the Kingdom on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in the Kingdom on Wednesday. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in the Kingdom on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in the Kingdom on Wednesday. (SPA)
Bright future for Saudi Arabia, China relations
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Bright future for Saudi Arabia, China relations
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Updated 12 September 2024
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Bright future for Saudi Arabia, China relations

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in the Kingdom on Wednesday. (SPA)
  • Saudi-Chinese relations witnessed a leap after establishing a high-level committee, where the two countries take turns in hosting its works

 

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang chaired on Wednesday a meeting of the High-Level Saudi-Chinese Committee, where aspects of joint cooperation between the two nations were reviewed, especially political and security coordination.

Opportunities in the fields of trade, energy, investment, culture, and technology were also discussed as well as regional and international developments.

The Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang in the Kingdom on Wednesday.

A welcoming ceremony was held in the premier’s honor and the two leaders held an official session of talks shortly after.




Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang hold talks on Wednesday. (SPA)

 

Events such as the Saudi-Chinese Media Entrepreneurs forum, and the Saudi Chinese Media forum have nudged cooperation between the countries even closer.

Initiatives in the field of radio and television, and news exchange were launched, including the joint media business accelerator.

On the cultural front, Prince Mohammed bin Salman award for cultural cooperation between the two countries was launched, in addition to translating over 100 books from Arabic to Chinese and vice versa.

Saudi Arabia was the guest of honor at the Beijing International Book Fair 2024, while China will be the guest for the Riyadh International Book Fair in 2025.

As the Kingdom seeks to attract over five million Chinese tourists, Saudi Arabia was accredited as an official tourism destination for Chinese citizens. Chinese payment processing companies were also listed as accepted payment methods in the Kingdom.

As Chinese-language instruction begins in the country, the Kingdom received 171 Chinese teachers at Saudi schools in August. Around 100 Saudi teachers were sent to learn Chinese at China’s universities.

 




Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Chinese PM Li Qiang chair a meeting of the High-Level Saudi-Chinese Committee on Wednesday. (SPA)

While China ranks first among the Kingdom’s business partners since 2014, trade exchange between the two countries reached $97 billion in 2023, where Saudi exports were valued at $54 billion and its imports from China reached $43 billion.

China is one of the biggest investing countries in the Kingdom, where its investments reached $16.8 billion in 2023 compared to $1.5 billion in 2022. Saudi investments in China is at $75 billion.

Saudi Arabia and China are keen on integration between Saudi Vision 2030 and the Belt and Road Initiative, in addition to enhancing bilateral cooperation in all fields.

The Crown Prince’s visit to Beijing in 2019 contributed to solidifying bilateral relations, where 12 agreements and MoUs were signed during that visit.

Saudi-Chinese relations witnessed a leap after establishing a high-level committee, where the two countries take turns in hosting its works.

The committee focuses on cooperation in the fields of politics, security, trade, investment, energy, culture, and technology.


Saudi aid continues to reach thousands in Gaza, Lebanon

Saudi aid continues to reach thousands in Gaza, Lebanon
Updated 09 November 2024
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Saudi aid continues to reach thousands in Gaza, Lebanon

Saudi aid continues to reach thousands in Gaza, Lebanon
  • The relief effort is being conducted in cooperation with the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage
  • Saudi aid is crucial to supporting families as they confront daily hardships and critical shortages

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief is continuing to provide essential food baskets to families in northern Gaza, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The relief effort is being conducted in cooperation with the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage as part of a campaign initiated under the directives of the Saudi leadership.
The humanitarian situation in northern Gaza remains dire, exacerbated by ongoing hostilities and border closures. Saudi aid is crucial to supporting families as they confront daily hardships and critical shortages.
Meanwhile, the 21st aid plane sent from Riyadh to Lebanon arrived at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Saturday, carrying food, shelter and medical supplies.
The aid, handled by KSrelief, will be used to assist the growing number of people displaced by Israeli airstrikes. The UAE, Turkiye, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Canada, Romania and France are also sending aid to Lebanon.
Since its inception in 2015, KSrelief has implemented more than 3,100 projects worth more than $7.1 billion in 104 countries, in cooperation with local, regional and international partners.


Saudi defense ministry to host leadership forum for non-commissioned officers

Saudi defense ministry to host leadership forum for non-commissioned officers
Updated 09 November 2024
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Saudi defense ministry to host leadership forum for non-commissioned officers

Saudi defense ministry to host leadership forum for non-commissioned officers
  • Participants will include officers from the ministry, other military branches and allied nations

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Defense will host an international leadership forum for non-commissioned officers in Riyadh later this month, Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Taking place with the support of Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman from Nov. 18-19 under the theme “Development and Empowerment,” the event will “underscore the role played by non-commissioned officers and promote shared practices in leadership empowerment,” SPA said.

Non-commissioned officers, or NCOs, are military personnel who have risen through the ranks and look after the day-to-day management of military operations, supervise enlisted soldiers and assist commissioned officers.

The forum will also look to facilitate the exchange of leadership experiences and success stories with military counterparts both within and outside the Kingdom.

Organized by NCOs from the Ministry of Defense and overseen by the Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, the forum will feature dialogue sessions focused on topics such as enhancing leadership competency and empowering women within the ministry.

Participants will include officers from the ministry, other military branches and allied nations.

The event will also feature lectures and an exhibition will run alongside the forum, spotlighting the ministry’s development program for leadership roles of non-commissioned officers, as well as highlighting its I’tizaz and Together programs.


Prince Turki discusses Middle East stability at Harvard

Prince Turki discusses Middle East stability at Harvard
Updated 09 November 2024
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Prince Turki discusses Middle East stability at Harvard

Prince Turki discusses Middle East stability at Harvard

RIYADH: Prince Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, recently visited Harvard University.

Invited by the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Kennedy School, the prince spoke about Saudi Arabia’s leadership role in the Middle East and its efforts to reduce conflicts and promote regional stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

He also spoke to members of the faculty about matters related to research and international relations and addressed members of the Harvard Club of Saudi Arabia, including its president, Abdullah Al-Dosari.

Prince Turki emphasized the importance of the club’s role in supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative through academic and social programs.


Ancient Kingdoms Festival honors history in AlUla and beyond

Ancient Kingdoms Festival honors history in AlUla and beyond
Updated 09 November 2024
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Ancient Kingdoms Festival honors history in AlUla and beyond

Ancient Kingdoms Festival honors history in AlUla and beyond
  • Artifacts from Vesuvius eruption on show for first time in Kingdom

RIYADH: The Ancient Kingdoms Festival, being held in AlUla until Nov. 30, is celebrating the rich history of the ancient civilizations that once thrived in the region.

The festival combines heritage and culture through a variety of events, including daytime activities, exploratory tours, and night excursions inspired by ancient stories, all guided by specialized teams, Saudi Press Agency reported.

A highlight is an exhibition from the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, “Masterpieces of the MANN,” hosted at the Maraya cultural venue.

For the first time in Saudi Arabia, visitors can explore the legacy of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 through artifacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum, the Roman cities buried under volcanic ash.

Pieces from the renowned Farnese Collection housing ancient Greek and Roman art are also on show.

Other unique experiences include the “Hegra After Dark” event at Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, drone shows, and the Hegra Candlelit Classics series of concerts.

Visitors can also join the “Quest for the Ancient Kingdoms” tour in Wadi Al-Naam, or Valley of the Ostriches, known for its dramatic rock formations.

“The Incense Road Experience” in AlUla’s Old Town offers an immersive journey through narrow alleys lined with traditional mud-brick buildings.

The experience blends live performances and modern technology to tell interactive stories, unveiling archaeological treasures in a captivating mix of past and present.

The National Archaeological Museum of Naples recently joined the commission’s network of cultural partners, aligning with heritage and educational institutions from the UK, France, China, and Italy to collaborate on preserving, studying, and celebrating AlUla’s 20,000-year-old heritage.

Established in 1777, the museum is a prominent landmark in one of Italy’s heritage capitals.

It houses some of Europe’s most treasured cultural artefacts, including exceptionally well-preserved Roman and Greek statues, bronze pieces, mosaics, and other artworks.


‘Craftsman Bus’ to promote traditional arts across Kingdom

‘Craftsman Bus’ to promote traditional arts across Kingdom
Updated 09 November 2024
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‘Craftsman Bus’ to promote traditional arts across Kingdom

‘Craftsman Bus’ to promote traditional arts across Kingdom

RIYADH: A platform on wheels has been rolled out to celebrate and promote traditional arts through a tour across the Kingdom’s regions.

The “Craftsman Bus,” an initiative of the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, will run until Nov. 23, offering cultural and creative experiences with live performances, interactive activities, parades, creative workshops and community art showcases.

Each weekend, the bus stops at King Faisal Park (Education Park) in Hafr Al-Batin governorate, the historic market in Dumat Al-Jandal governorate, and concludes its journey at the heritage village in Jazan.

The event features live demonstrations by skilled local craftsmen, showcasing traditional arts such as Sadu weaving, hand embroidery, wickerwork, leather tanning, incense making, stone carving and metal crafting to create ornaments and jewelry with a traditional flair.

It offers visitors the opportunity to learn traditional crafts and unleash their creativity through interactive artistic workshops.

The bus travels to selected locations, showcasing performances that highlight the unique cultural heritage of each region.

The journey begins with Samri art in Hafar Al-Batin governorate, continues with Dahha art in Dumat Al-Jandal governorate and concludes with the vibrant Azzawi art in Jazan, bringing traditional performing arts closer to communities.

The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts is a pioneering institution dedicated to showcasing Saudi Arabia’s national identity and elevating traditional arts on both the local and global stages.

Its mission is to preserve the heritage of these arts, celebrate living treasures and pioneers, and recognize distinguished individuals in the field.

By supporting national talent and encouraging the mastery and development of traditional crafts, the institute is ensuring that the rich legacy of Saudi Arabia’s creative arts remains vibrant, innovative and celebrated for generations to come.