Xi Jinping during Saudi visit: "Joint opposition to external interference... Strengthening linkage of national projects"

"Strengthening the Linkage Between the Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Arabia's 'Vision 2030'"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Xi Jinping, the Chinese President on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, announced that he will strengthen the linkage between the Belt and Road Initiative (一帶一路) and Saudi Arabia's national project, Vision 2030.

According to local Chinese media on the 8th, President Xi proposed expanding the points of contact between the two countries' core national projects in an article published in a Riyadh newspaper, stating, "We will deepen and solidify practical cooperation in various fields and enhance the flow of mutual interests and public sentiment between the two countries."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Belt and Road Initiative is President Xi's representative foreign initiative to create a modern land and maritime "Silk Road" connecting China, Central Asia, and Europe through overseas infrastructure construction cooperation such as railways and ports, mobilizing Chinese capital and manpower.

Vision 2030 refers to Saudi Arabia's large-scale national project aimed at industrial diversification in preparation for the post-oil era.

President Xi also stated, "China will use this visit as an opportunity to strengthen a comprehensive strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, consistently understanding and supporting each other, jointly advocating independence and autonomy, and opposing external interference together."

He added, "Under the new circumstances, China will inherit the spirit of friendship with Arab countries and cooperate to build a China-Arab community with a shared future for a new era." He further wrote, "China will continue to uphold the banner of non-interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries, firmly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its partners, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice."