FM holds high-level meeting with Saudi counterpart

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China attached high importance to its relations with Saudi Arabia and would bolster cooperation and coordination in both regional and international affairs.

China prioritized Saudi Arabia in its overall diplomatic relations, especially when dealing with countries in the Middle East, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee.

As co-host with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Wang made the remarks on Thursday at the fourth meeting of the political and diplomatic sub-committee of the China-Saudi Arabia high-level joint committee to guide and coordinate bilateral cooperation.

Wang expressed appreciation to Saudi Arabia's commitment to the one-China principle and thanked Riyadh for rendering support to Beijing on issues concerning China's core interests, including Xinjiang-related and human rights issues.

China appreciates Saudi Arabia's support for the Global Development Initiative and welcomes its active participation in the implementation of the initiative, Wang said.

China welcomes Saudi Arabia's pursuit of an independent energy policy and is making active efforts to maintain the stability of the international energy market, Wang added.

Noting China supports Saudi Arabia in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, Wang said Beijing is willing to jointly maintain peace and stability in the Middle East with Riyadh and strengthen communication and coordination in multilateral platforms to safeguard international fairness and justice.

Faisal said Saudi Arabia takes its relations with China as a priority and resolutely abides by the one-China policy.

Saudi Arabia firmly opposes interference in China's internal affairs and rejects the politicization of human rights-related issues, he said.

Saudi Arabia is willing to steadily deepen practical cooperation with China in various fields such as politics, economy and investment, he added.