Xi condemns Saudi oil strikes

President urges all parties to remain calm amid probe

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has condemned the recent attacks on Saudi oil facilities, calling on relevant parties to refrain from taking any actions that may escalate tensions in the region.

Xi made the remarks in phone talks on Friday with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who briefed him about the incident.

The attacks on Saudi oil facilities have had an impact on the situation in the Gulf region and on the international energy market, Xi said.

He hoped for a comprehensive, objective and just investigation into the attacks, while also urging relevant parties to jointly maintain peace and stability in the region.

Xi also noted that China-Saudi Arabia ties had witnessed all-round and fast growth in recent years, saying that the two countries enjoyed a comprehensive strategic partnership and were important cooperation partners in jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative.

“China appreciates Saudi Arabia’s adherence to the ‘one China principle’ and its valuable support on issues concerning China’s core interests and major concerns,” Xi said.

He added that China also firmly supported the Saudi efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and stability.

Xi said China had always viewed and developed China-Saudi Arabia ties from a strategic height and with a long-term vision, adding that the Chinese side was willing to maintain communications with the Saudi side and inject new vitality into bilateral ties and the development of bilateral cooperation.

For his part, King Salman said Saudi Arabia-China ties were solid and sound. “The Saudi side firmly adheres to the one-China principle and will continue to give China firm support on issues related to China’s core interests,” he said.

The Saudi side hoped that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries would be further developed, King Salman said.