Call for greater Chinese involvement in Saudi

Premier Wen Jiabao has called on China to play a greater role in Saudi's infrastructure development.

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China and Saudi Arabia are both at important stages of their development, with “broad prospects for enhancing cooperation,” Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has said.

“The Chinese government encourages companies in the country to take part in Saudi infrastructure construction ventures such as railways, ports, electricity and telecommunications,” said Premier Jiabao.

He was speaking at the signing of a cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia for the development and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

This will help to meet the Kingdom's rising demand for energy and cut its growing dependence on depleting resources.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, together with a large number of high-ranking Saudi and Chinese officials.

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“The nuclear energy cooperation agreement seeks to establish a legal framework that strengthens scientific, technological and economic cooperation between Riyadh and Beijing, while the two sides reaffirm their desire to place the highest priority on nuclear safety and environmental protection,” said an official source.

On behalf of the Kingdom, Hashim Abdullah Yamani, president of King Abdullah City of Atomic and Renewable Energy, signed the nuclear agreement.

Zhang Ping, chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission of China, signed on behalf of Beijing.
Li Lianghua, a spokesman of the Chinese Embassy, said the two countries pledged to work together to promote political and commercial relations, as well as boost links in energy, trade, infrastructure, culture, press and security.

“China has also welcomed a move to organise a high-profile symposium in Beijing in mid-2012 to discuss relations between China and the Muslim world, with special reference to Beijing's relations with Muslims in the past and the future perspectives of Islamic-Sino ties,” he added.

The pledge for a closer partnership was made during the wide-ranging talks between King Abdullah and the Chinese Premier.