Saudi Arabia, China sign security cooperation pact

[Saif al-Arab]

Saudi Arabia, China sign security cooperation pact​

Nov 7, 2016

Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, hosts working luncheon with Special Envoy of Chinese President Meng Jianzhu. — SPA​

Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — A five-year action plan for cooperation in the field of security training between Saudi Arabia and China was signed here on Sunday.

The agreement was signed during a meeting between Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, and Meng Jianzhu, member of the Politburo of the Central Committee, secretary of the Central Political Legal Committee, special envoy of the Chinese President.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-arabia/saudi-arabia-china-sign-security-cooperation-pact/

King receives special envoy of Chinese president​

Nov 7, 2016

​

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received at Al-Yamama Palace in Riyadh on Sunday Meng Jianzhu, who is Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China, secretary of Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission and special envoy of the Chinese president.

Meng conveyed to the King the greetings of President Xi Jinping. In a separate meeting, King Salman received an invitation from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of Armed Forces of United Arab Emirates.

The invitation was conveyed to the King by Ambassador of United Arab Emirates to the Kingdom Mohammed Saeed Al-Dhahiri. — SPA

http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-arabia/king-receives-special-envoy-chinese-president/

A lot has been happening in the past 2 months alone.

A few recent examples out of many:

Saudi Arabia buys high-tech China drones ​

ARAB NEWS | Published — Thursday 1 September 2016

ROBUST DEFENSE: Wing Loong drones will enhance Saudi forces’ capability to monitor borders.​

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has signed a contract with China for the purchase of an unspecified number of pterodactyl planes, also known as Wing Loong or medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned drones, according to a report in Al-Watan newspaper.
The Chinese unmanned drones are modeled after MQ-1 Predator; they have surveillance capabilities and are able to carry two air-to-ground missiles.
According to the Global Times, the Kingdom is the first Arab country to obtain such types of drones, which were developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group.
According to a press statement from the company last year, its drones are sold to four countries, including an unnamed country in Central Asia, while a series of negotiations are still going on with other potential clients.
The pterodactyl flies more than 4,000 km in 20 hours, and has a total payload capacity of up to 200 kg. It is equipped with laser-guided sensors.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/978446/saudi-arabia

Joint anti-terrorism drills held in China:

​

Meanwhile Americans:

http://saudigazette.com.sa/business/want-vision-2030-succeed-american-cg/

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1006516/saudi-arabia

So much for "isolation" as some ignorant trolls bark about here and elsewhere. They have seen nothing yet!

In the real world KSA is too important to ignore and remains one of the most influential countries in the world. This is a undeniable fact. Much butthurt from some sectors (keyboard warriors) or not.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Saudi Arabia, China to boost cooperation in fighting terror ​

RASHID HASSAN | Published — Monday 7 November 2016

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman receives Meng Jianzhu, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, secretary of the Central Political Legal Committee and the special envoy of the Chinese president, at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)​

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and China agreed to step up cooperation on various key issues including security and counter-terrorism during talks held in Riyadh Sunday.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, received a delegation led by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s special envoy Meng Jianzhu. The two sides also reached agreement to deepen the cordial ties between Saudi Arabia and China.
The talks in Riyadh follow the signing of 15 preliminary agreements between Saudi Arabia and China in August — touching on a wide range of fields from energy to housing — during the visit of the deputy crown prince.
Meng and his delegation arrived here Saturday night.
The visit fits in with a broad reforms drive to reduce the Kingdom’s reliance on oil exports and showcases Saudi Arabia as a dynamic nation with promising opportunities for global investors.
A Chinese Embassy spokesman told Arab News that the delegation led by Meng Jianzhu, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC, met King Salman at the Al-Yamamah Palace.
The crown prince held a luncheon banquet during which he and Meng discussed issues of mutual interest, especially joint cooperation in counterterrorism. A five-year cooperation plan was also signed in the field of security training.
During talks with King Salman, Meng conveyed the greetings of President Xi Jinping. The King also sent his greetings to the Chinese president.
The crown prince and several ministers attended the meeting, which also reviewed the strategic partnership and future cooperation to boost bilateral ties.
The spokesman said that the delegation also met Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, second deputy premier and defense minister.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1007606/saudi-arabia

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

Looks great man, more cooperation in these fields should be coming up in the future.

Been seeing a bunch of this kind of news recently. China is still a developing country so our influence is still limited, but definitely can't miss opportunities like this.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Looks great man, more cooperation in these fields should be coming up in the future.

Been seeing a bunch of this kind of news recently. China is still a developing country so our influence is still limited, but definitely can't miss opportunities like this.

Saudi Arabian-Chinese ties have always been cordial and close since diplomatic relations were established and given the ground realities we can expect not only much more of that in the nearby future and distant future but add the GCC and the entire Arab world to that list as well.

KSA and the Arab world is developing too and all types of beneficial relations and assistance from our historical friends in China are welcome. Especially given the fact that China is leading on many fronts already and a superpower in its own right.

 

[lonelyman]

A little background, Meng is China's legal tsar, oversees internal security, police, anti-terroism operation, court, da, justice matters, a powerful politburo member.

Like secretary of justice plus home minister plus intelligence tsar

 

[Sam.]

Saudi Arabian-Chinese ties have always been cordial and close since diplomatic relations were established and given the ground realities we can expect not only much more of that in the nearby future and distant future but add the GCC and the entire Arab world to that list as well.

KSA and the Arab world is developing too and all types of beneficial relations and assistance from our historical friends in China are welcome. Especially given the fact that China is leading on many fronts already and a superpower in its own right.

But but i thought we are besties.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

But but i thought we are besties.

Well, I cannot speak on the behalf of KSA or all 500 million Arabs but personally I value India as a valuable economic partner and I see no reason to have hostilities with Indians or India. I hope that Indian-Pakistani and Indian-Chinese rivalries and hostilities will remain talk as if that is not the case KSA and the GCC will be hit economically.

I know that all 3 countries (at least the leaderships) share the exact same opinion about the Arab world and MENA region in terms of rivalries and hostilities there which is understandable.

I am a pragmatic person by nature and historically speaking Arabs have traded with everyone. In particular Europe, Africa, South Asia, Central Asia and East Asia. South East Asia too of course where up to 10 million people have Arab ancestry. Indonesia and Malaysia in particular.

Believe it or not but even the GCC and Iran trade with each other. Actually Iran's second biggest trading partner is the UAE for example if I recall. Neighbors should do business as strong economic bonds make wars more unlikely as there is much to be lost by both parties if that is the case.

Anyway I am off-topic here.

A little background, Meng is China's legal tsar, oversees internal security, police, anti-terroism operation, court, da, justice matters, a powerful politburo member.

Like secretary of justice plus home minister plus intelligence tsar

Thank you for this additional information.

 

[Kambojaric]

Great to see! China is a major oil and gas consumer and numerous CPEC projects can further enhance the ease and speed with which Saudi exports including oil can reach China. Increase in Saudi-China ties is great for us to see hence

 

[lonelyman]

But but i thought we are besties.

Why do u want him to pick sides, we Chinese never ask friends to pick sides in matters not related to them

Thank you for this additional information.

U are welcome

 

[IblinI]

Some source from China state that Wing loong 2 just made it's first customer, it is a deal worth 1 billion ,i believed it should be Saudi Arabia, any info?

 

[lonelyman]

Some source from China state that Wing loong 2 just made it's first customer, it is a deal worth 1 billion ,i believed it should be Saudi Arabia, any info?

I thought they bought CH-4 also, or maybe it's just Iraq

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Why do u want him to pick sides, we Chinese never ask friends to pick sides in matters not related to them


U are welcome

KSA has overall better and closer ties with China. I would describe China as a strategical partner and a very important ally while India is mostly an economic partner. However around 3 million Indians (expat workers) live in KSA and overall they have a good reputation. I have concluded that rivalries between countries are often artificial and based on greed and ambition to dominate but ordinary people should be able to act like humans and treat each other well. When I think about many of the silly rivalries in the Arab world and Muslim world, I ask myself, how many people have died for nothing really. I am quite frankly tired of it so the last thing I want is for us to create even more of such rivalries.

Anyway maybe he is trolling here, I do not know?

Some source from China state that Wing loong 2 just made it's first customer, it is a deal worth 1 billion ,i believed it should be Saudi Arabia, any info?

Saudi Arabia buys high-tech China drones

ARAB NEWS | Published — Thursday 1 September 2016

ROBUST DEFENSE: Wing Loong drones will enhance Saudi forces’ capability to monitor borders.

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has signed a contract with China for the purchase of an unspecified number of pterodactyl planes, also known as Wing Loong or medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned drones, according to a report in Al-Watan newspaper.
The Chinese unmanned drones are modeled after MQ-1 Predator; they have surveillance capabilities and are able to carry two air-to-ground missiles.
According to the Global Times, the Kingdom is the first Arab country to obtain such types of drones, which were developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group.
According to a press statement from the company last year, its drones are sold to four countries, including an unnamed country in Central Asia, while a series of negotiations are still going on with other potential clients.
The pterodactyl flies more than 4,000 km in 20 hours, and has a total payload capacity of up to 200 kg. It is equipped with laser-guided sensors.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/978446/saudi-arabia

Our Arab neighbor Iraq is also interested in Chinese drones which is good.

 

[IblinI]

[/QUOTE]Our Arab neighbor Iraq is also interested in Chinese drones which is good.

The news is about Wingloong 1 which i think Saudi already operating it for quiet some times.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

I thought they bought CH-4 also, or maybe it's just Iraq

Air Platforms
UAE, Saudi Arabia operating Chinese UAVs over Yemen
Jeremy Binnie, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
18 December 2015

This UAV at Saudi Arabia's Jizan Regional Airport on 10 July is probably a CH-4 as the UAE has yet to receive the first of the Predator XPs it has ordered. Source: DigitalGlobe/Google Earth
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have both acquired Chinese-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to meet urgent operational requirements arising from their military intervention in Yemen, it was revealed during a panel discussion held by the Atlantic Council think tank on 8 December.

"The drones the UAE is using in Yemen are Chinese because they failed to get US approval," US Marine Corps General (retired) James L Jones said. Gen Jones served as National Security Advisor in 2009-2010 and is now affiliated with the Atlantic Council.

Nawaf Obaid, a former advisor to the Saudi ambassadors to the United Kingdom and the United States, immediately added "that is true, us too", indicating Saudi Arabia has also acquired Chinese UAVs because it could not obtain US ones.

"[The UAVs are] an example of things we could have done, but we didn't do, and now people who are more agile have been able to send drones to the UAE," Jones said. "We have a serious problem in the way and the speed with which we come to the aid of our friends and allies with equipment."

The third member of the panel, Barry Pavel, the director of the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center, agreed, saying, "All our Gulf partners want US weapons, they are the best in the world … but it is a really, really difficult process [to obtain them]. If you can't get that wonderful jewel on the shelf, but you can get fake jewellery that still does the job, you are going to start to go in that direction because you are in active operations and you need this equipment."

"We need to get our act together, streamline and make our processes more effective," Pavel added.

When asked about the problems in the US arms export process, Jones identified the end-use monitoring agreements system as "something that most of our allies really dislike".

Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options ihs.com/contact

http://www.janes.com/article/56742/uae-saudi-arabia-operating-chinese-uavs-over-yemen

Some source from China state that Wing loong 2 just made it's first customer, it is a deal worth 1 billion ,i believed it should be Saudi Arabia, any info?

Sorry, I thought you were talking about the original version of Wing Loong. Has there been any buyer of the upgraded version yet? I mean it was unveiled last September so not that long ago.

Anyway if there are rumors about an Arab country buying it in Chinese media, it is likely an GCC country (KSA or UAE), Iraq or Egypt.

 

[IblinI]

Sorry, I thought you were talking about the original version of Wing Loong. Has there been any purchaser of the upgraded version? I mean it was unveiled last September so not that long ago.

Anyway if there are rumors about an Arab country buying it, it is likely an GCC country (KSA or UAE), Iraq or Egypt.

During the recent Zhuhai airshow,the chief designer of the Wingloong 2 told the reporter that it has made its first and biggest deal among all Chinese Unmanned drone sales.