Saudi Arabia and China sign mutual visa exemption for diplomats and officials

Key facts

• Saudi Arabia and China signed a mutual visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders.
• The agreement was signed during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Riyadh, hosted by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
• The visit marked the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and China.
• High-level talks during the visit covered economic cooperation, regional security, Vision 2030 developments, and support for a two-state solution for Palestine.
• Prince Faisal and Wang Yi attended the fifth session of the Political Committee of the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee.
• Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to the One China policy, recognizing that Taiwan is part of China.
• China expressed support for Saudi efforts to strengthen relations with Iran and acknowledged the Kingdom’s role in fostering regional and international security and stability.
• The Chinese delegation praised Saudi Arabia’s economic progress under Vision 2030.
• Both sides welcomed the results of the Riyadh Arab-Chinese Summit for Cooperation and Development held in December 2022.
• Saudi Arabia expressed support for China hosting the Second China-Arab Summit and the Second Gulf-Chinese Summit in 2026.
• China confirmed its readiness to participate in Expo 2030, which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia.
• Both countries reiterated support for a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian question, advocating an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.