BEIJING, June 30, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli (R) meets with Khalid al-Falih, minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, in Beijing, capital of China, June 30, 2016. Khalid al-Falih came to China to attend the G20 Energy Ministerial Meeting. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)
BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli met with newly-appointed Saudi Arabian Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid al-Falih in Beijing on Thursday, pledging to further enhance bilateral economic cooperation.
Calling Saudi Arabia a "major partner" in the Gulf and Middle East, Zhang said China is willing to maintain the sound momentum of high-level exchanges and better synergize the Belt and Road Initiative with Saudi Arabia's Economic Vision 2030.
President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Saudi Arabia in January, reaching consensus on various issues with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
During that visit, the two countries announced a comprehensive strategic partnership and set up a high-level committee to guide and coordinate cooperation.
Zhang said China is ready to work with Saudi Arabia to prepare for the first meeting of high-level committee, and boost coordination in international and regional affairs.
Al-Falih, who was here to attend the G20 Energy Ministerial Meeting on Wednesday in Beijing, said Saudi Arabia is implementing the consensus reached between the two leaders.
He said his country is preparing for the first meeting of the high-level committee, vowing to further deepen ties in areas including energy and investment.
Also on Thursday, State Councilor Yang Jiechi met with Al-Falih, calling on both sides to strengthen cooperation on energy, capacity production, infrastructure construction and the hi-tech sector.
Al-Falih was named energy minister in early May as part of a cabinet reshuffle to meet the requirements of the oil-rich kingdom's economic vision.
