Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Riyadh on Wednesday, discussing cooperation in various sectors, including energy, investment, and trade, according to the Saudi state news agency SPA.
Earlier in the day, Premier Li urged China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to accelerate free trade negotiations during a meeting with GCC Secretary General Jasem al-Budaiwi. Li emphasized the importance of finalizing the trade talks, which have been stalled over concerns about cheap Chinese imports.
The GCC, which includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, has been negotiating a free trade agreement with China for nearly 20 years. However, the talks have been at an impasse since May, with Saudi Arabia expressing concerns about the potential impact of lower-cost Chinese imports on its domestic manufacturing agenda.
Despite the challenges, GCC Secretary General al-Budaiwi stressed the importance of moving forward and finalizing the trade talks in the near future. Premier Li’s visit to the region, which includes a scheduled trip to the UAE, aims to revitalize the negotiations and strengthen economic ties between China and the GCC countries.
The meeting between Premier Li and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman highlights the growing economic partnership between China and Saudi Arabia, with cooperation in energy, investment, and trade expected to be key areas of focus.
