STORY: BRI helps consolidate China-Saudi Arabia relations: Saudi expert
SHOOTING TIME: recent footage
DATELINE: Dec. 17, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:17
LOCATION: Riyadh
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Saudi Arabia
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): ABDULAZIZ AL-SHAABANI, Researcher, Riyadh Center for Political and Strategic Studies

STORYLINE:

A Saudi expert has said that the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) helps consolidate China-Saudi Arabia relations in all aspects.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic): ABDULAZIZ AL-SHAABANI, Researcher, Riyadh Center for Political and Strategic Studies
"The Belt and Road Initiative is also one of the most essential agendas between the two countries, especially since Saudi Arabia is China's first and largest trading partner in the Middle East. There are also efforts beyond economic cooperation between the two countries, including cultural cooperation. For example, there is cooperation between the two countries in teaching the Chinese language in Saudi education. There is also a significant and widespread promotion of tourism in Saudi Arabia among the Chinese. All of these fall within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative launched in 2013. It is still developing increasingly in light of the development of relations between the two countries. Under the Belt and Road Initiative framework, I believe that Chinese and Saudi relations include huge and gigantic projects that will have a great and clear importance in the future. When we see the results of ties, investments, programs and projects between the two countries, we will see them successively over the coming years. Some of them will be in the near future, and some will have their long-term results. Indeed, this will simultaneously impact the further consolidation of relations between Saudi Arabia and China in all aspects: political, economic, cultural, social, and tourism."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Riyadh.
(XHTV)