Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday held a telephone conversation with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. During the call, both sides agreed to further strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership and discussed the volatile situation in the Middle East.
According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and state media, President Xi underscored that China attaches great importance to its relations with Saudi Arabia and adheres to the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.
China-Russia ties ‘precious’ amid global uncertainty, says Xi
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic partnership. Xi said China is ready to take this opportunity to deepen mutual strategic trust, expand practical cooperation, increase exchanges at all levels, and continuously broaden the scope and depth of bilateral ties, setting a positive example for China-Arab relations.
On the current situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region, President Xi called for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, supported all efforts aimed at restoring peace, and advocated resolving disputes through political and diplomatic channels.
He stressed that normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz should be maintained, as it serves the common interests of regional countries and the international community. China supports regional nations in building a shared home featuring good-neighborliness, development, security and cooperation, so that they can hold their future in their own hands and promote lasting peace and stability.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman described the Saudi-China relationship as strategic and of vital importance to his country. He noted that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is undermining the security of Gulf states and severely disrupting global energy supplies and economic stability.
Saudi Arabia remains committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and preventing further escalation, he said. The Crown Prince praised China as a responsible major power that upholds a just position and supports Middle Eastern countries in pursuing good-neighborliness, dialogue and cooperation.
He expressed Saudi Arabia’s readiness to strengthen communication and coordination with China to maintain the ceasefire, prevent the resumption of hostilities, ensure the safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and jointly explore pathways toward lasting peace and stability in the region.
The phone call comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf following the recent Iran-related conflict, which has affected maritime traffic through the critical Strait of Hormuz a vital chokepoint for global oil supplies.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to closer bilateral cooperation as the two countries mark a decade of their elevated strategic partnership.