January 19 2016 saw the publication of the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with regard to the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The proposal, issued in Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital, is designed to upgrade the current bilateral relations to more of a comprehensive strategic partnership. In addition to enhancing political co-operation and exchanges in a number of fields, the two countries are particularly looking to boost their collaboration in the energy sector. Both parties also intend to pursue practical co-operation, expand two-way investment, and further deepen co-operation in such areas as infrastructure construction, with a particular emphasis on accelerating a number of mutually beneficial projects, notably railways, roads bridges, communication facilities and ports. At the same time – and within the overall framework of developing the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road - further action will be taken in order to deepen co-operation and strengthen policy coordination in relation to production capacity, while also encouraging technology transfer, industrial upgrade and economic diversification.

Click here for the Joint Statement in Chinese.