China and Saudi Arabia looking to boost air passenger links
- Beijing has pledged active support to increase the number of routes and flights between the two countries
- The initiative is the latest effort to forge closer links between the two countries following a series of economic and security initiatives
Song Zhiyong, the head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, told his visiting Saudi counterpart Abdulaziz Al-Duailej that Beijing would provide active support to airlines seeking to increase the number of flights and routes between the two countries.
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Currently Saudia, the national carrier formerly known as Saudi Arabian Airlines, operates direct flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to Beijing and Guangzhou. Last July, Beijing certified Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport as a welcoming destination for Chinese tourists.
Song said there was “great potential” for cooperation in areas such as aircraft maintenance, airport construction and green and innovative development.
The two signed a memorandum of understanding and hailed the “new steps forward” in the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. At a later symposium the Saudi delegation was introduced to major Chinese aircraft maintenance companies.
Song said the two countries share the same civil aviation development goals, while Al-Duailej said Saudi Arabia is willing to actively learn from China’s experience in civil aviation to develop its own industry under its Vision 2030 plan, according to the Chinese embassy in Riyadh.
China is Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner and the kingdom is one of its main oil suppliers.
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The People’s Liberation Army started carrying out joint exercises with the Saudi military in 2019, including a 17-day exercise in October last year. The Chinese air force was also invited to perform at the Riyadh Air Show earlier this month.
