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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Waleed Al-Khereiji received China’s Ambassador Zhang Hua in Riyadh, where the two reviewed bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and China. The officials examined regional and international developments together with efforts being undertaken to address them. This encounter reflects the regular diplomatic contact the Kingdom sustains with Beijing across political and economic files.
In a separate session the same day, Al-Khereiji met Russia’s Ambassador Sergei Kozlov to assess bilateral relations and explore avenues to strengthen them in service of the two countries’ shared interests. The diplomats also addressed topics of mutual concern during their discussion. The ministry noted that such meetings form part of sustained engagement aimed at advancing cooperation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has documented a series of comparable meetings this year, including one between Al-Khereiji and the Chinese ambassador in March that covered parallel subjects of bilateral ties and regional matters. Similar discussions with the Russian envoy occurred in August alongside talks with other international representatives. These interactions illustrate the deputy minister’s ongoing role in managing the Kingdom’s relationships with permanent United Nations Security Council members.
Saudi Arabia and China elevated their partnership to comprehensive strategic level in 2016, paving the way for expanded activity in energy, infrastructure and technology sectors, according to records from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Kingdom has integrated Chinese participation into aspects of its Vision 2030 program, with multiple agreements signed during high-level exchanges in subsequent years. Officials continue to pursue further alignment on initiatives that support economic diversification goals.
Coordination with Russia has focused on oil market stability through the OPEC+ framework, where joint decisions have influenced global supply levels over the past several years, OPEC assessments have shown. The two sides have also found common ground on select Middle East issues, with diplomatic channels remaining active even amid broader international tensions. Al-Khereiji’s latest conversation with the Russian ambassador fits within this established pattern of consultation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that the September 9 meetings occurred without additional public elaboration on specific outcomes or follow-up steps. Al-Khereiji, who has conducted numerous such diplomatic receptions in 2026, maintains oversight of these channels as part of the Kingdom’s wider outreach to key global actors. Comparable sessions with envoys from other nations have followed similar agendas in recent months.
