Riyadh, December 09, 2022, SPA -- On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired today at King Abdulaziz International Conference Center the "Riyadh Gulf-China Summit for Cooperation and Development", in the presence of the leaders and heads of delegations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab states and the People's Republic of China. On the occasion, photos were taken for HRH Crown Prince, the leaders and heads of delegations of GCC and the People's Republic of China. Then, the activities of Riyadh Gulf-China Summit for Cooperation and Development Kicked off. HRH Crown Prince delivered the following opening speech: Your Excellency President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China Your Majesties, Excellencies, Highnesses and Excellencies Honorable guests Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you On behalf the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, I am pleased to welcome you all in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, praying to Allah Almighty for success in our endeavors and efforts aimed at preserving the security and stability of our countries and achieving the aspirations of our peoples for a better future driven by cooperation to achieve growth and prosperity. We meet today in light of the many challenges facing the region and the world amid exceptional circumstances that require us to activate joint collective action to face these challenges, and based on the noble goals and objectives upon which the GCC was established, and based on the depth of the historical relationship and friendship that bind our countries with the People's Republic of China. Our summit establishes a new historic start for the relationship between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aiming to deepen cooperation with the People's Republic of China in all fields, and to coordinate views on regional and international issues. The GCC's member states consider the People's Republic of China an essential and important partner for them, and the positive fruits of this partnership have been reflected on our common interests and the security and stability of our region. The rapid economic growth and great technological development that the People's Republic of China has reached under the leadership of Your Excellency President Xi Jinping is a success story that is reflected on China's position as the global economic leader. Our countries attach utmost importance to raising the level of strategic partnership with the People's Republic of China, making efforts to maximize the gains of this partnership. The GCC countries are also looking forward to exchanging experiences and creating diverse partnerships in light of the ambitious development plans of the GCC states. We commend the rapid development in the GCC-China relationship and the solid diversity in the areas of strategic cooperation between the two sides, such as trade, investment, energy, education, scientific research, environment and health. The GCC countries also look forward to increasing the level of this cooperation to broader horizons. We also point to the remarkable increase in the volume of trade exchanges between the GCC countries and the People's Republic of China during the past years, which we expect to continue to grow after discussing the negotiations for the establishment of a free trade zone between the two sides so as to facilitate trade and governance of mutual commercial interests, in a way that allows maximum benefit from promising investment opportunities, in addition to deepening the expansion of the areas of partnership between the two sides. The GCC countries value the strategic partnership between them and the People's Republic of China and praise the joint action plans for the period (2023-2027) for their importance in strengthening the strategic framework for cooperation between the two sides. The GCC countries are interested in working side by side with the People's Republic of China to explore practical ways to address global challenges, including food security and improving the integration of global supply chains and energy security. The GCC states affirm that they will continue their role as a reliable source to meet the energy needs of the world and the People's Republic of China. The GCC countries appreciate the People's Republic of China's endeavors to put forward initiatives concerned with revitalizing the course of cooperation and strengthening international multilateral action, foremost of which is the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative. We share the thinking with our friends in the People's Republic of China about the importance of reorienting the international community's focus towards cooperation, development, and addressing the common challenges facing humanity. Your Excellencies, Your Majesties, Your Highnesses The GCC countries are going on to exert all efforts to enhance security and stability in the region as well as to support political solutions and dialogue for all regional and international tensions and conflicts, based on the fact that this is the path that guarantees achieving peace, security and prosperity. Also, these goals will not be achieved without the exit of mercenary militias from all Arab territories and the cessation of external interference in their affairs. In conclusion, we are pleased to extend our sincere thanks to the People's Republic of China, led by Your Excellency President Xi Jinping, for its continuous efforts to deepen Sino-GCC relations. May peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you all It is worth mentioning that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's official delegation includes Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy; Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Cabinet's Member; Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior; Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the National Guard; Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of State, Cabinet's Member and National Security Advisor, Dr. Musaed bin Mohammad Al-Aiban. --SPA 18:14 LOCAL TIME 15:14 GMT 0042 www.spa.gov.sa/w1824496