Saudi Arabia and China have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the field of tourism. The MoU was signed during a virtual meeting between officials from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism and China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The two sides agreed to cooperate in the areas of cultural and heritage tourism, tourism investment, and tourism marketing.
As part of the agreement, Saudi Arabia and China plan to exchange visits of tourism officials, organize joint tourism events, and encourage the development of tourism projects and investments.
The two countries also agreed to promote the exchange of information and expertise in the field of tourism and to work together to develop new products and tourism experiences.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, said that the MoU signified the “strength of the relationship between the two countries” and would help to “unlock the potential of both nations’ rich cultural heritage and natural resources.”
China is one of the fastest-growing tourism markets in the world, with more than 150 million Chinese tourists traveling abroad each year. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has been working to diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on oil revenues, with tourism identified as a key growth area.
In recent years, the Kingdom has launched a number of initiatives aimed at developing its tourism sector, including the launch of a new visa system, the relaxation of dress codes, and the opening up of previously restricted areas to tourists.
Saudi Arabia has also invested heavily in developing its cultural and heritage sites, including the restoration of historic buildings and the creation of new museums and cultural centers.
Last year, the Kingdom welcomed more than 40 million tourists, with Chinese tourists accounting for a significant portion. The new MoU is expected to further boost tourism between the two countries and help to attract even more Chinese visitors to Saudi Arabia in the years ahead.
The signing of the MoU comes amid a broader push by Saudi Arabia to increase its economic ties with China. The two countries have been working on a number of joint projects in recent years, including the development of a $10 billion oil refinery and petrochemical complex in China’s northeastern Liaoning province.
China is also one of Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partners, with bilateral trade between the two countries exceeding $50 billion in 2019.
As part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to boost economic ties and infrastructure connectivity across Asia, Europe, and Africa, Saudi Arabia has also signed a number of agreements with China on infrastructure investment, energy cooperation, and industrial zones.
However, the growing economic ties between the two countries have sparked concerns among some observers, who warn that China’s expanding influence in the Middle East could pose a threat to regional stability and security.
Critics have also accused China of human rights abuses, including the treatment of its Uighur Muslim minority in the western Xinjiang region.
Despite these concerns, Saudi Arabia has sought to strengthen its ties with China in recent years, with high-level visits by Saudi officials to Beijing and increased cooperation across a range of strategic sectors.
The signing of the new MoU on tourism is the latest example of the growing partnership between the two countries, and is expected to further boost economic and cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and China in the years ahead.