RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Riyadh on Tuesday. “During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, and ways to support and enhance them in a way that serves their common interests,” the foreign ministry said. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Riyadh with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan. pic.twitter.com/2Qik9jS1bD — Spokesperson发言人办公室 (@MFA_China) March 24, 2021 Earlier Wang told Al Arabiya that China supported Saudi Arabia’s new peace initiative for Yemen. He also said Beijing had a five point plan to help the Middle East. Wang also met with Nayef Al-Hajraf, the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Al-Hajraf said member countries wanted to enhance cooperation and relations with China in various fields, as well as to expedite free trade negotiations between the two parties. “During the meeting, they discussed the latest regional and international developments, especially enhancing regional security and stability by adhering to the UN’s Charter and Security Council resolutions, respecting state sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs and combating terrorism,” the GCC said in a statement. Al-Hajraf said it was important for GCC countries to take part in any negotiations on Iran and its nuclear program. The talks, he added, should include Tehran’s development of ballistic missiles and drones, the security and safety of shipping, and its destabilizing behavior in the region. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with GCC Secretary General Dr. Nayef Al Hajraf in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. pic.twitter.com/K1kj1F3x7f — Spokesperson发言人办公室 (@MFA_China) March 24, 2021 The two sides agreed on the need to enhance cooperation in strategic, economic, health and development fields, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Both sides agreed on the importance of investing in opportunities resulting from the pandemic in the fields of digital economy and artificial intelligence, and e-commerce. They also called for “maximizing joint benefit from China’s Belt and Road Initiative projects in a way that enhances each side’s positive contribution with the international community to achieve security, stability and sustainable development.”