How virus strengthened ties between China and Saudi Arabia
Chinese ambassador says the Kingdom offered support at ‘the critical time’
“The saying ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’ has become the best footnote of the friendship between China and
Saudi Arabia,” Chinese Ambassador Chen Weiqing told Arab News, reflecting on the bilateral relationship between Saudi Arabia and China, and how it strengthened after the start of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
“At the critical time, when the Chinese people were striving to win the battle against COVID-19, the Saudi Arabian government and people have voiced support and offered assistance to China,” the ambassador said.
“According to King Salman’s instructions, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center provided the Chinese side with much-needed medical supplies; a huge support for frontline Chinese medical workers.” Chen said that since the outbreak, Chinese President Xi Jinping and King Salman had spoken three times, and the two countries had cooperated on COVID-19 prevention and control. “I believe greater progress and development of bilateral relations will be achieved after the pandemic,” he added.
In April, China and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement worth SR995 million ($265.29 million) to face COVID-19, providing 9 million nucleic acid tests for Saudi Arabia and setting up laboratories in six major areas in the Kingdom. “Cooperation between the two countries has played a positive role in controlling the pandemic” Chen said. “China is willing to continue to maintain close cooperation with Saudi Arabia on pandemic prevention and control, and fully supports the Saudi people.”
China also sent a team of medical experts to the Kingdom to help fight COVID-19. “Health officials and experts from the two countries held online exchanges before the Chinese medical experts departed for Saudi Arabia,” he said. “The actions of China and Saudi Arabia have shown that the only correct choice is to work together to fight the pandemic, and unity and cooperation are powerful weapons.”
The ambassador added: “We will work together with our Saudi counterparts to ... redouble our efforts to bring benefits to our peoples, and the people of other countries as soon as possible. “Saudi Arabia, in the capacity (of the) G20’s presidency this year, plays an important leading role in strengthening global cooperation in the fight against the pandemic. China stands ready to work with Saudi Arabia to safeguard world peace and stable development, promote global economic recovery in the post-pandemic era, maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and carry out cooperation in new technologies and new industries.”
The ambassador also congratulated King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi government and its people on Saudi Arabia’s 90th National Day. “No matter how the international landscape may change, China always takes Saudi Arabia as a good friend, a good partner and a good brother, and sticks to maintaining and developing the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Saudi Arabia,” Chen said.