Chinese premier to promote development strategies alignment, enhance ties with Saudi Arabia

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday arrived in Riyadh for the Fourth Meeting of the High-Level Chinese-Saudi Joint Committee and an official visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

Upon arriving at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, Li expressed his hope for both sides to further strengthen the alignment of their development strategies and elevate bilateral ties to a higher level.

Noting the longstanding traditional friendship between China and Saudi Arabia, Li said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 34 years ago, bilateral relations have achieved leapfrog development through joint efforts, yielding fruitful results in practical cooperation.

In December 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the first China-Arab States Summit and the first China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and paid a state visit to Saudi Arabia, said Li.

For over a year, both sides have actively implemented the key outcomes of the summits, continuously strengthening political mutual trust, steadily advancing exchanges and cooperation in various fields, maintaining close communication and coordination on regional and international affairs, and continuously enhancing the China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic partnership, the Chinese premier said.

During his stay, Li said he will engage in in-depth discussions with the Saudi crown prince and prime minister on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern to strengthen friendship and expand cooperation.

Li also expressed his expectation that the visit would further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, deepen the friendship between the two peoples, and foster greater progress in China-GCC and China-Arab relations.

Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi and Ambassador of China to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua greeted Li at the airport.

Saudi Arabia is the first leg of Li's four-day visit to the Middle East, which will also take him to the United Arab Emirates.

Chinese premier to promote development strategies alignment, enhance ties with Saudi Arabia

Chinese premier to promote development strategies alignment, enhance ties with Saudi Arabia

Chinese premier to promote development strategies alignment, enhance ties with Saudi Arabia

The third part of China Media Group (CMG)'s Mid-Autumn Festival gala aired on Tuesday night blends traditional Chinese culture with international artistry in a diverse lineup, bringing the audience an unforgettable night of music performance and poetry recitation.

The annual gala broadcast, also known as "Qiuwan" in Chinese, was recorded in Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning Province, a 2,300-year-old city boasting three world cultural heritage sites and over 1,500 historical and cultural sites. The city is also one of the most well-known industrial cities in China.

Themed "Moon Bright", the third part of the grand gala features an array of classic songs, reunion-themed narratives, and touching performances. Highlights include a music adaptation of the famous Chinese poem Qing Ping Diao by Tang Dynasty Poet Li Bai (701-762), which captures the essence of ancient Chinese beauty and expression; and a middle-school chorus from the Macao Special Administrative Region, singing about their love for the country and hopes for a brighter future.

The third segment of the show also features celebrated French musician Richard Clayderman, who enchants the audience with his timeless A Comme Amour a breathtaking rendition of The Butterfly Lovers concerto. The concerto, inspired by the tragic love story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, is a modern classic that intertwines Chinese folklore with romantic Western composition techniques.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the night when the moon reaches its fullest and brightest on the 15th day of the eighth month on the lunar calendar. This year, the day fell on Tuesday (Sept 17). During the festival, families reunite, admire the moon, share the traditional festive pastry of mooncakes and light up lanterns.

Part 3 of CMG Mid-Autumn Festival Gala showcases diverse lineup of performances