Saudi, China agrees to strengthen energy cooperation

Sauaudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and Zhang Jianhua, China’s national energy administrator have discussed ways to strengthen cooperation and bilateral ties in the field of energy, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

During the online meeting, the two highlighted the importance of regularly exchanging viewpoints as two significant global energy producers and consumers, according to SPA.

The officials confirmed their willingness to work together to support the stability of the international oil market, continue close communication, and strengthen cooperation to address the emerging risks and challenges.

They also highlighted the importance of long-term and reliable oil supplies to stabilize the global market, noting that the Kingdom continues to be China’s most reliable partner and supplier of crude oil, SPA reported.

The two sides also discussed cooperation and joint investments as well as stressing the importance of cooperation in the field of electricity and renewables, and to collaborate in the field of clean hydrogen through research and development.

They agreed to cooperate within the framework of the Bilateral Cooperation Agreement in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy between the Chinese and Saudi governments.

Later on Friday, Prince Abdulaziz, who is also chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Economy and Investment in the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council, paid a visit today to India, where he held meetings with the Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Power Raj Kumar Singh, and a number of leaders of the Indian business sector.

The meetings dealt with enhancing integration between the Kingdom and India and opportunities for joint cooperation.