Following the directives of the Saudi leadership, Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and an accompanying delegation arrived in China Tuesday for an official visit.

The Saudi Defense Minister was received by his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun in Beijing (photo). Upon arrival, an official reception ceremony was held for Prince Khalid bin Salman, during which the national anthems of Saudi Arabia and China were played. Then Prince Khalid bin Salman inspected the Guard of Honor.

The Saudi Minister met with China’s Minister of National Defense, Admiral Dong Jun where discussions explored ways to strengthen the Saudi-Chinese relations within the framework of the strategic defense partnership.

Talks have also focused on coordination efforts to promote international peace and security, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Several high-ranking Saudi officials attended the meeting. They included Chief of the General Staff Lt. General Fayyad Al-Ruwaili; Saudi Ambassador to China Abdulrahman Al-Harbi; Commander of the Strategic Missile Force Lt. General Jarallah Al-Alweet; Director General of the Office of the Minister of Defense Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif; Head of the Armed Forces Operations Authority Major General Misfer Al-Ghanem; and Military Attaché at the Saudi Embassy in Beijing Commodore Salem Al-Maliki.

Several Senior Chinese officials also attended the meeting including Deputy Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Central Military Commission Lt. General Jing Jianfeng, and Director of the Office of International Military Cooperation at the Central Military Commission Major General Li Bin.

The Saudi Minister also met with Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia of the Central Military Commission of the People’s Republic of China.

The two officials highlighted the strategic relations between their countries and discussed ways to strengthen military and defense cooperation. They also addressed regional and international developments and exchanged views on issues of common interest.