Xi commits unwavering cooperation in phone call with Saudi king Salman

China's determination to deepen strategic cooperation with Saudi Arabia will not waver, no matter how the international and regional situation alters, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in his phone conversation with the ruler Thursday.

Congratulating Xi on the successful conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and his re-election as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, King Salman said he believed the congress would guide the Chinese people to greater achievements.

Xi appreciated the congratulatory call and said the party congress was a landmark in China's development, determining its guiding ideology and making strategic deployment for China's modernization.

"We are confident of leading the Chinese people toward the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Xi said.

Remarking on the importance of maintaining close communication between the two countries' heads of state, Xi said China and Saudi Arabia were comprehensive strategic partners with deepening strategic mutual trust and win-win cooperation.

China supports Saudi Arabia's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and realize greater development, the Chinese president said.

China is also willing to work with Saudi Arabia to deepen strategic cooperation, advance the strategic integration of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, and conduct cooperation in a variety of areas through the China-Saudi Arabia High-level Joint Committee, Xi said.

The Belt and Road Initiative, which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, was proposed by Xi in 2013 to build a trade, investment and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

In a bid to diversify its oil-dependent economy, Saudi Arabia announced the Saudi Vision 2030 growth strategy last year, which includes privatizing some state-owned companies.

King Salman said the Saudi Arabia-China relations have achieved significant development.

Saudi Arabia is willing to further bilateral cooperation via the Saudi Arabia-China High-level Joint Committee, integrate the Saudi Vision 2030 plan with the Belt and Road Initiative, and deepen cooperation in energy and finance, the Saudi king said.

He also said his country was ready to become an important partner of China in the Gulf region and commit to enhancing their bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. "This is in the interest of our two countries and is conducive to world and regional peace and stability," he said.

The two heads of state also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.