Xi honored by Saudi Arabia's King Saud University

The King Saud University in Saudi Arabia conferred President Xi Jinping an honorary doctorate degree on Thursday in recognition of his remarkable achievements in national governance and key contributions he has made to bilateral friendship and cooperation.

A ceremony to award the honorary doctorate degree was held at the royal palace in Riyadh on the sidelines of Xi's state visit to the Arab state.

The event, also attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, was presided over by Badran bin Abdulrahman Al-Omar, president of King Saud University.

Saudi Arabian Education Minister Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan presented President Xi with the certificate of the honorary doctorate degree.

The Saudi side noted that China plays a pivotal role in the world's economic structure, and the nation has become a model for the people of all countries who yearn for progress and prosperity.

China's great success is attributed to having a great leader like President Xi, who shares a strategic and long-term vision, the Saudi side said.

King Saud University teaches both Chinese language and Chinese-Arabic translation, and many Saudi students are learning Chinese out of their yearning for Chinese culture, and there are also many Chinese students studying the Arabic language and Arabic literature at the university, according to the university.