Saudi, China sign deal to build nuclear reactor as Xi Jinping visits Riyadh

Saudi Arabia and China have signed several bilateral agreements including a memorandum of understanding to build a nuclear reactor, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Under the MoU, the two countries will cooperate in building a nuclear reactor with a high-temperature coolant gas.

The deal was one of 14 agreements signed on the first day of a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Riyadh.

The two nations have also agreed to strengthen mutual cooperation to develop the Silk Road Economic Belt; cooperate in science, industry, renewable energy, technology and satellite navigation; and establish a mechanism for consultations on combating terrorism.

A framework agreement for strategic cooperation was also signed between state-owned Saudi Aramco and China’s Sinopec.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz also held discussions with Xi Jinping focussing on developing cooperation to counter terrorism.

“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia and China are seeking together for stability and promoting peace and security in the world,” SPA quoted King Salman as saying.

“The challenges facing the world, particularly terrorism, require the international community to unite in countering it. The international community should emphasise the principles established by the Charter of the United Nations, particularly the non-interference in the internal affairs of states as well as the respect of their sovereignty so that security and peace prevail among states.

“I am confident that our discussions today will be in the interest of our two countries, and will enhance efforts being made to bring peace to the region,” King Salman added.

The Chinese President also stressed the country’s keenness to strengthen the partnership between the two nations and commended the measures taken to stimulate development in the kingdom.

Xi Jinping, who is on his first presidential trip to the Middle East, will also visit Egypt and Iran during his five-day tour.