China-Saudi Arabia Hold People-to-People Exchange Dialogue to Explore Multi-Area Cooperation

On October 7, the "China-Saudi Arabia People-to-People Exchange and Modernization Dialogue" was recently held in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Participants from both China and Saudi Arabia stated that in recent years, China-Saudi Arabia relations have advanced steadily in multiple fields such as economy and trade, energy, education, and culture, with cooperation between the two sides continuously deepening. China-Saudi Arabia cooperation is entering a more mature stage and will continue to inject new impetus into the modernization drive of both countries.

Co-hosted by the Saudi Center for Research and Knowledge Exchange and China’s China Intercontinental Press, the dialogue focused on the theme of "Jointly Building the Path to Modernization: China-Saudi Exploration and Practice." Guests from China and Saudi Arabia exchanged views on topics including China-Saudi people-to-people exchanges and green energy development.

Saleh Al-Sagri, former Cultural Counselor of the Saudi Embassy in China, noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1990, China-Saudi Arabia relations have achieved remarkable progress both in quality and scale. Deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership with China not only helps Saudi Arabia achieve diplomatic balance but also reflects the shared vision of the two sides in promoting peace and cultural exchanges.

Hesham Mahmoud Said, Director of the China Research Department at the Saudi Center for Research and Knowledge Exchange, emphasized that people-to-people exchange is one of the important pillars for deepening the friendship and enhancing mutual understanding between Saudi Arabia and China. The two countries have achieved fruitful results in cooperation in areas such as cultural exchanges, academic interactions, translation, and publishing, paving the way for exchanges among young people of the two nations.

Abdulrahman Al-Marshud, a researcher at the Saudi Center for Research and Knowledge Exchange, argued that cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China in the clean energy sector indicates that bilateral relations have entered a new phase. This cooperation has transcended the previous model centered on oil and trade, moving toward a future-oriented partnership focused on diversification, innovation, and sustainable development.

Chinese guests including Luo Lin, Dean of the Institute of International and Regional Studies at Beijing Language and Culture University, and Wang Yiwei, Director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China, introduced the development concept and successful experience of Chinese modernization from different perspectives during the dialogue. Participants from both China and Saudi Arabia agreed that the two countries face many common issues in advancing modernization and enjoy broad space for cooperation. The two sides will further expand cooperation areas, innovate collaboration mechanisms, and inject new momentum into promoting sustainable development and people-to-people bonds between the two countries.