Saudi- Sino-Arab boom to benefit all: Envoy 

(MENAFN - Arab News) Arab countries and China are witnessing an economic boom that will benefit every country in today's global village, said Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Li Chengwen during an exclusive interview with Arab News at his Riyadh office on Wednesday.

He was speaking ahead of the departure of an Arab media team to China at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing.

A number of senior journalist representing major dailies from Arab countries will be visiting China from May 12 to 20. They will visit major cities in the country including Beijing, Shanghai and towns in the Jiangsu Province in east China.

Spelling out the objectives of this visit, Li said the media trip would mark 50 years of his country's strong relations with the Arab world and underline China's support to their just cause.

"We also intend to diversify our relations during this visit, especially at this moment of time when Arab countries and China are heading toward a strategic growth in economic ties," he said, adding that it is also the right time for an exchange of information and expertise between the two sides.

The ambassador spoke highly of his relations with Saudi Arabia, saying that the Kingdom is the only Arab member country of the G20. "We are very keen to strengthen our relations with Saudi Arabia in view of its international standing economically, politically and in the region itself," the envoy added.

"China and Saudi Arabia are coordinating their efforts on promoting peace and mutual respect. We also highly commend the call of King Abdullah and his initiatives toward a dialogue of civilization. We also undertake such initiatives once or twice a year with our partners in the Arab world. I express my deep gratitude to Saudi Arabia for providing utmost care to the Chinese pilgrims, whose number is increasing. There were 14,000 pilgrims last year."

Speaking on the economic relations with Saudi Arabia, Li said that bilateral trade soared last year to 460 billion, making Saudi Arabia the largest Chinese partner in trade relations with Arab countries and Africa, accounting for a quarter of the total volume of trade relations with those nations.

He explained that in the era of globalization, every country has the right to take advantage of this relation and benefit.

"We support and encourage this kind of relation as we strongly support the joint development taking place in the two friendly countries" he said, adding that there are ongoing joint ventures in various parts of the Kingdom, such as in Makkah, Jubail and Abha.

With regard to his country's participation in the last Saudi Higher Education Exhibition, he said that as part of his country's diversification and interest in education there are many initiatives in this sector.

"As of now we have 1,200 Saudi students studying in China in various universities with various courses and specializations. We also encourage our youth to study in Saudi Arabia."

The envoy spoke highly of Saudi people when it comes to humanity. He said his people would never forget Saudi Arabia during the earthquake that hit China in 2008. It was the first country to offer humanitarian assistance to the Chinese.

"This humanitarian gesture will remain in the hearts of the Chinese people and this confirms how keen we are to strengthen our relations with the Kingdom," he observed.

"Since I arrived here, I found affection in their treatment of us, and also the Chinese people have affection toward Saudi people. It is part of our mission to strengthen our relations, and language is an essential tool to improve these relations," he explained.

With regard to the Chinese work force in Saudi Arabia, the ambassador said Chinese companies mostly rely on their own people in implementing projects here because of their efficiency in finishing their jobs. "They are quick when it comes to meeting deadlines. I always tell them also to abide by the local law."