On January 13, 2010, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister held talks with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud bin al-Faisal in Riyadh.

Yang spoke highly of bilateral ties, saying that China attaches great importance to its strategic friendly ties with Saudi Arabia and will push bilateral ties to a new level by taking the opportunity of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Yang said both sides should enhance friendly exchanges, consolidate political mutual trust and deepen cooperation in energy, infrastructure, finance and science and technology, so as to inject dynamism into the bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Both sides should also carry out exchanges and cooperation in various forms in the fields of culture, education to foster closer friendship between people of the two countries and strengthen the public opinion basis for bilateral relations, Yang said. China would like to join hands with Saudi Arabia in pushing forward the relations between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), he added.

Al-Faisal said that with joint promotion of the leaders of the two countries, the bilateral relations have witnessed smooth development with fruitful cooperation in various areas. The Saudi Arabian-Chinese ties are built on a solid foundation as both sides have enhanced cooperation in trade, science and technology, and education, he said. Both sides have strong political will to develop relations and the understanding and friendship between both peoples are deepening, he added. The two sides are committed to the world peace and development and both advocate abidance by international laws and the generally-accepted principles of international relations. Bilateral relations are progressing on a right track. Saudi Arabia is ready to continuously promote the strategic and friendly ties with China, al-Faisal stressed.

The two ministers also exchanged views on some international and regional issues.

The two jointly met the press after their talks.