China-Saudi military cooperation ‘accelerated’ as top defense officials meet

Cooperation in “military exchanges, personnel training and joint exercises” has been “fruitful,” Zhang said, adding that “China is open to cooperation with the Saudi military.”

On his X account, Salman said they “explored ways to strengthen Saudi-China relations within the framework of our strategic defense partnership.” We also discussed our coordination efforts to promote international peace and security.

Several high-ranking Saudi officials were also part of the delegation in Beijing, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.

As China’s second-ranking military official after President Xi Jinping – who also chairs the CMC, the country’s highest military decision-making and command body – Zhang rarely meets defense ministers.

The meeting with Salman was Zhang’s first with a foreign defense minister this year, and followed several meetings with defense ministry heads at the high-profile Xiangshan Forum in Beijing in October.

In his talks with Salman, Dong said China and Saudi Arabia “stand firmly together on issues of mutual core interests, communicate and coordinate in a timely manner on international and regional affairs, and vigorously safeguard the interests common.”

According to the Chinese Defense Ministry statement, Salman said Riyadh was ready to strengthen “strategic communication” with Beijing to “elevate bilateral military relations to a higher level.”

China is Saudi Arabia’s largest economic and trade partner and the largest importer of Saudi oil. While the United States remains Riyadh’s largest arms supplier, the Middle Eastern power has increased its imports of Chinese arms in recent years.

China’s state-owned defense industry displayed the latest FC-31 model, its fifth-generation fighter jet, along with more than 30 unmanned aerial vehicles at the World Defense Exhibition in Riyadh in February, hoping to accelerate its exports to the region.

In addition to their growing military ties, China and Saudi Arabia have deepened cooperation in many other areas, including artificial intelligence and infrastructure.