China urges Saudi Arabia to help speed up efforts for Gulf free-trade zone

Foreign Minister Qin Gang tells his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud the two sides should strengthen economic cooperation

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting the Middle East to try to bolster Washington’s position as China’s influence grows

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Chinese President Xi Jinping pictured with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit to the kingdom in December. Photo: Xinhua via ZUMA Press

Published: 10:00pm, 31 Jan 2023Updated: 5:52am, 1 Feb 2023

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has renewed efforts to boost economic ties with Saudi Arabia, including a push for a China-Gulf free-trade zone “as soon as possible”, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken began his visit to the region.

Qin told his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in a phone call on Monday that China looks forward to expanding economic cooperation after President Xi Jinping’s trip to the country last month.

“China highly appreciates Saudi Arabia’s consistent and firm support on issues involving China’s core interests,” Qin said, according to an official statement on the call published on Tuesday.

Qin said both sides should expand cooperation on the economy, trade, energy, infrastructure, investment, finance and technology.

He added that there should be continued strengthening of the “China-Gulf strategic partnership” and he hopes to see the establishment of a “China-Gulf free-trade zone as soon as possible”.

According to a statement from the Saudis, the two also discussed both regional and international issues and “efforts exerted in this regard to enhance security and stability”.

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