Xi attends Arab-China Cooperation & Development Conference with Gulf leaders

Group discussed creation of Gulf-China Free Trade Zone, Saudi Crown Prince

Picture source - AFP

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the Arab-China Cooperation and Development Conference with Gulf leaders. He also signed agreements with Saudi Arabia.

The Chinese president held meetings with regional leaders on the third and final day of his visit.

Addressing the conference President Xi said that Gulf countries and China could achieve economic and industrial integration. He said that the Gulf Cooperation Council has been able to overcome global challenges.

Xi Jinping pledged unwavering support for the security of the Gulf countries and said that China will continue to import large quantities of oil.

Earlier addressing the conference Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that the conference had shown the joint cooperation between Gulf and China.

Officials have provided some details of the agenda of a conference held on Friday but they included a free trade agreement between China and Gulf Cooperation Council that has been negotiated for the past two decades.

Robert Mogilniki of the Arab-Gulf States Institute in Washington has said that China would like to find the final outcome of these long-standing negotiations.

The Crown Prince had said earlier that the group had discussed the creation of the Gulf-China Free Trade Zone.

Progress on the trade deal will help Saudi Arabia adapt its economy to Vision 2030.