China is willing to promote the strategic partnership with Oman for further development, and hopes that Oman continues to actively participate in the collective cooperation between China and Arab countries, said Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with Omani Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Friday.

China and Oman have enjoyed a long history of friendship with the bond of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, said the Chinese President. He added that in the new circumstances, China is willing to consolidate the mutual trust and deepen friendly cooperation, while further developing the relationship between the two countries.

Xi also congratulated Oman on its upcoming rotating chairmanship of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), saying China will join Oman in achieving further development of China-Arab and China-GCC relations.

For his part, Fahd hailed the historic importance of the first China-GCC summit and the China-Arab States Summit, saying Oman is looking forward to further strengthening the Oman-China relations, as well as promoting ties between China and GCC countries, China and Arab countries for greater development.

China and Yemen

On the same day, the Chinese president met with Rashad Muhammad Al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council.

Xi said China supports Yemen in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, as well as urging all parties to find a political solution in solving the Yemeni issue.

China is willing to provide help for Yemen's rebuilding within its reach, Xi said, and further consolidate and deepen the traditional friendship between the two countries while setting a new prospect for the bilateral ties.

Al-Alimi expressed gratitude for China's help and support in a long period of time, saying that the Yemeni people will bear in heart the Chinese people's friendship. He also thanked China for speaking up for Yemen at international occasions, and expressed wish of strengthening exchange and cooperation with China in all fields.

China and Lebanon

Xi also met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday evening. He told Mikati that China is willing to make the China-Arab States Summit a starting point to further deepen cooperation with Lebanon in various fields and jointly build the China-Arab community.

China firmly supports Lebanon in safeguarding its own security and stability, independence and territorial integrity, and will continue to speak up for the nation on the global stage, he said, vowing continuous contribution in fulfilling China's role in peacekeeping missions, and safeguarding Lebanon's safety.

The Chinese president also emphasized willingness to deepen cooperation in the building of the Belt and Road Initiative, saying the country will encourage Chinese companies to take part in the economic and social construction of Lebanon.

Mikati expressed his appreciation of China's achievement under the Xi's leadership, adding that Lebanon has a strong will to deepen ties with China. 

Lebanon always abides by the 'One China' principle, and is willing to carry out more cooperation in sectors including solar power and electricity, said the prime minister.

Belt and Road Initiative to extend to Albania

China would like to deepen cooperation with Albania in infrastructure construction, mining, space exploration in the framework of the Belt and Road initiative. Xi made the commitment during his meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Mohamed Ben Ahmed Abdelghani on Friday stating more Chinese entrepreneurs would invest in projects in Albania. 

For his part, Abdelghani praised China for successfully developing its own path. He also thanked China for its long-time support, including sharing vaccines to combat the COVID-19 virus and helping establish vaccine production facilities.

Xi also congratulated Albania for taking over the rotating presidency of the Arab Union.