2022年12月8日，在抵達利雅得出席首屆中國—阿拉伯國家峰會、中國—海灣阿拉伯國家合作委員會峰會并對沙特進行國事訪問之際，國家主席習近平在沙特《利雅得報》發表題為《傳承千年友好，共創美好未來》的署名文章。文章全文如下：

A signed article by Chinese President Xi Jinping was published Thursday on the Saudi newspaper Al Riyadh, as he is attending the first China-Arab States Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, and paying a state visit to Saudi Arabia in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
An English version of the article titled "Carrying Forward Our Millennia-old Friendship and Jointly Creating a Better Future" is as follows:

傳承千年友好，共創美好未來

中華人民共和國主席　習近平

Carrying Forward Our Millennia-old Friendship and Jointly Creating a Better Future
Xi Jinping
President of the People's Republic of China

帶著中國人民的深情厚誼，我再次來到利雅得，同阿拉伯朋友一道召開首屆中國－阿拉伯國家峰會、中國－海灣阿拉伯國家合作委員會峰會，并對沙特進行國事訪問。這是一次傳承之旅，更是一次開創之旅，目的是發揚光大中阿、中海、中沙傳統友好，開啟中國同阿拉伯世界、海灣阿拉伯國家、沙特阿拉伯關系新時代。

I am coming back to Riyadh, bringing with me profound friendship from the Chinese people. I am here to join my Arab friends for the first China-Arab States Summit and the first China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and to pay a state visit to Saudi Arabia. Designed as a trip of building on the past and more importantly, of opening up a better future, the visit will carry forward our traditional friendship, and usher in a new era in China's relations with the Arab world, with Arab states of the Gulf, and with Saudi Arabia.

一、千年友誼，源遠流長

First, a time-honored friendship that goes back thousands of years

中國和阿拉伯國家的交往可以追溯到2000多年前。從那時起，陸上絲綢之路商旅絡繹，海上香料之路云帆高張，中阿文明在亞洲大陸兩端相映生輝。中國的瓷器、造紙術、印刷術一路西行，阿拉伯的天文、歷法、醫藥萬里東來。我們互通有無，啟迪創新，碰撞思想，把文明交流的成果傳播四海，書寫了東西交融、互學互鑒的歷史佳話。

中國和海灣阿拉伯國家的交往經由史籍流傳至今。中國東漢時期，甘英奉命出使，“臨西海以望大秦”，留下中國使者到達海灣阿拉伯國家的最早官方記載。1200多年前，阿拉伯航海家奧貝德從蘇哈爾港出發到達中國廣州，這段傳奇經歷被演繹成精彩的辛巴達歷險故事，膾炙人口。上世紀80年代，仿古制造的“蘇哈爾”號重走古代阿拉伯航海家開辟的航路，連通雙方友好交往的歷史和現實。

自古以來，中國和沙特相互欣賞、友好往來。先知穆罕默德曾說：“知識，雖遠在中國，亦當求之”。700年前，中國元代汪大淵曾到達麥加，描繪麥加“風景融合，四時之春，田沃稻饒，居民樂業”，他的《島夷志略》成為中國了解古代沙特的重要文獻。600年前，中國明代航海家鄭和多次遠航到達吉達、麥地那等地，傳播友好、增進交流，至今為人們樂道。過去幾年，中沙聯合開展塞林港遺址考古，出土的大量中國宋代、元代瓷器訴說著兩國友好的過往。

The exchanges between China and Arab states date back more than 2,000 years. The constant streams of caravans along the land Silk Road and the billowing sails along the maritime Spice Road have borne witness to how the Chinese and Arab civilizations interacted with and inspired each other across the Asian continent. It was through these exchanges that Chinese porcelain and paper-making and printing techniques were introduced to the West while Arab astronomy, calendar and medicine went all the way to the East. We have traded goods, sparked innovation, shared ideas, and spread the fruits of cultural exchanges to the rest of the world, leaving a splendid chapter in East-West engagement and mutual learning.

The contacts between China and Arab states of the Gulf are well documented. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Gan Ying, a Chinese emissary, reached the "western seas," namely the Gulf, on his mission to the Roman Empire. This is the first official record of Chinese envoys reaching Arab states of the Gulf. More than 1,200 years ago, an Arab navigator, Abu Obeida, sailed from Sohar Port to the Chinese city of Guangzhou on a legendary journey that was later adapted to the exciting and well-known adventures of Sindbad. In the 1980s, a replica ship named the Sohar retraced the route opened by ancient Arab navigators, connecting the past and present friendly interactions between the two sides.

China and Saudi Arabia have admired each other and conducted friendly exchanges since ancient times. The prophet Muhammad said, "Seek knowledge even if you have to go as far as China." Seven hundred years ago, Wang Dayuan, a Chinese traveler of the Yuan Dynasty, arrived at Mecca which he described as a place with beautiful sceneries, mild weather, fertile rice fields, and a happy people in his book A Brief Account of Islands. It was an important book from which the Chinese learned about Saudi Arabia at that time. Six hundred years ago, Zheng He, a Chinese navigator of the Ming Dynasty, reached Jeddah and Medina on his oceangoing voyages, leaving behind him many stories of friendship and exchanges that are still widely told today. The joint Chinese-Saudi archaeological excavation of the ruins of the al Serrian port conducted in recent years has unearthed many porcelain wares of China's Song and Yuan dynasties. They stand as testaments to all those friendly interactions.

二、團結合作，構建面向新時代的中阿命運共同體

Second, solidarity and cooperation for a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era

阿拉伯世界是發展中國家重要成員，是維護國際公平正義的重要力量。阿拉伯人民崇尚獨立自主，反對外部干涉，不畏強權霸道，是追求進步的人民。阿拉伯國家資源稟賦多元，產業特色鮮明，建設成就斐然，是極具潛力的國家。阿拉伯文明倡導中道平和，鼓勵包容互鑒，反對文明沖突，是底蘊深厚的文明。在世界政治、經濟、文明版圖中，阿拉伯國家占據重要地位。

上世紀50年代以來，中國同阿拉伯國家陸續建交，雙方相互理解、相互尊重、守望相助、風雨同舟，成為平等相待的好朋友、互惠互利的好伙伴、同甘共苦的好兄弟。進入21世紀，中阿關系在國際風云變幻中砥礪前進，政治互信、經濟互利、文明互鑒的廣度和深度實現歷史性跨越。

過去10年，中阿關系進入新時代，各領域取得一系列標志性、突破性成就。中國同阿拉伯國家集體建立全面合作、共同發展、面向未來的戰略伙伴關系，同12個阿拉伯國家建立全面戰略伙伴關系或戰略伙伴關系，同20個阿拉伯國家簽署共建“一帶一路”合作文件。17個阿拉伯國家支持全球發展倡議，15個阿拉伯國家成為亞洲基礎設施投資銀行成員國，14個阿拉伯國家參與《中阿數據安全合作倡議》。阿拉伯國家堅定支持一個中國原則，支持中國維護核心利益。中國支持阿拉伯國家維護主權獨立和領土完整，在巴勒斯坦等問題上對阿拉伯國家的堅定支持始終如一、從未缺席。雙方合作建設的阿爾及利亞嘉瑪大清真寺、卡塔爾盧塞爾球場、科威特中央銀行新總部大樓、蘇丹麥洛維大壩、羅賽雷斯大壩加高、上阿特巴拉水利樞紐等重大項目，成為中阿友好地標。中國在阿拉伯國家開設20所孔子學院、2個孔子課堂，中國40多所高校開設阿拉伯語專業，為中阿友好源源不斷培養新生力量。新冠肺炎疫情發生后，中阿同舟共濟，相互支援，在疫苗研究和使用、聯防聯控、經驗共享、醫療藥品等方面開展高效合作，樹立了團結抗疫的典范。在中阿合作論壇框架內，雙方先后建立17項合作機制，拓寬合作領域，豐富合作內涵，有力促進了中阿關系全面蓬勃發展，成為發展中國家團結合作的樣板。

當今世界正經歷百年未有之大變局，中國和阿拉伯國家都面臨實現民族振興、加快國家發展的歷史任務。新形勢下，中國將同阿拉伯國家傳承友好精神，攜手構建面向新時代的中阿命運共同體。中國將同阿拉伯國家繼續高舉不干涉內政旗幟，堅定支持對方維護主權和領土完整，共同維護國際公平正義。繼續合作共建“一帶一路”，不斷擴大糧食、能源、投融資、醫療等領域務實合作，實現更高質量、更深層次的互利共贏。繼續攜手落實全球發展倡議和全球安全倡議，給變亂交織的地區注入更多穩定性，為和平與發展事業增添更多正能量。繼續共同弘揚和平、發展、公平、正義、民主、自由的全人類共同價值，以文明交流超越文明隔閡、以文明互鑒超越文明沖突，促進人民相知相親，共建美美與共的文明百花園。

The Arab world is an important member of the developing world and a key force for upholding international fairness and justice. The Arab people value independence, oppose external interference, stand up to power politics and high-handedness, and always seek to make progress. Arab states are endowed with diverse resources, and have built industries with distinctive features, scored remarkable achievements in development, and demonstrated enormous potentials. The Arab civilization advocates the middle way and moderation, encourages inclusiveness and mutual learning, opposes clash of civilizations, and is deeply rooted in its rich culture and history. Be it on the world political, economic or cultural map, Arab states always claim an important place.

Since the 1950s, China has established diplomatic relations with all Arab states. Their interactions feature mutual understanding, mutual respect, mutual assistance and solidarity. They have become good friends treating each other as equals, good partners pursuing mutual benefit, and good brothers sharing weal and woe. In the 21st century, China-Arab relations have continued to move ahead against a fluid international landscape, and achieved historic leapfrog growth in political trust, mutually beneficial economic cooperation, and cultural mutual learning in both breadth and depth.

In the past decade, China-Arab relations entered a new era and registered a series of landmark and groundbreaking achievements in various areas. Collectively, China has established a future-oriented strategic partnership of comprehensive cooperation and common development with all Arab states. Individually, China has established comprehensive strategic partnership or strategic partnership with 12 Arab states, and signed documents on Belt and Road cooperation with 20 Arab states. Among Arab countries, 17 have expressed support for the Global Development Initiative (GDI), 15 have become members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and 14 have participated in the China-League of Arab States Cooperation Initiative on Data Security.

Arab states firmly support the one-China principle and support China in safeguarding its core interests. Likewise, China supports Arab states in upholding sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. On issues such as the Palestinian question, China's firm support for Arab states has been consistent and unwavering. Major infrastructure projects jointly built by the two sides, including the Djamaa El Djazair mosque of Algeria, the Lusail Stadium of Qatar, the new headquarters of the Central Bank of Kuwait, as well as the Merowe Dam, the Roseires Dam heightening, and the Upper Atbara Dams Complex Project of Sudan, have become landmarks of China-Arab friendship. China has set up 20 Confucius institutes and two Confucius classrooms in Arab states. And over 40 Chinese universities teach Arabic as a major, contributing inexhaustible energy for growing China-Arab friendship.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China and Arab states have come to each other's aid and navigated through the difficulties together. The two sides have carried out efficient cooperation in such areas as vaccine research and application, joint epidemic prevention and control, experience sharing, medical services and pharmaceuticals, setting a fine example of solidarity in fighting the virus. Under the framework of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, 17 cooperation mechanisms have been launched to expand and substantiate the cooperation agenda, giving a strong boost to China-Arab relations and providing a paradigm for the solidarity and cooperation among developing countries.

The world is now undergoing momentous changes unseen in a century. Both China and Arab states face the historic mission of realizing national rejuvenation and speeding up national development. In this new context, China will work with Arab states to carry forward the traditional friendship and jointly build a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era. China and Arab states will continue to hold high the banner of non-interference in internal affairs, firmly support each other in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity, and jointly uphold international fairness and justice. We will continue to enhance together Belt and Road cooperation, keep expanding practical cooperation in such areas as food, energy, investment, financing and medical services, and pursue mutually beneficial cooperation with higher quality and in greater depth. We will continue to jointly act on the GDI and the Global Security Initiative so as to stabilize volatile regions and contribute more positive energy to peace and development. We will continue to jointly advocate peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom -- the common values of humanity, strive to replace estrangement and clash of civilizations with exchanges and mutual learning, promote understanding and affinity between our peoples, and build "a garden of civilizations" featuring mutual appreciation and inspiration.

三、攜手共進，建立中海戰略伙伴關系

Third, joint endeavor to cultivate the China-GCC strategic partnership

海灣合作委員會一體化進程成效顯著，是全球最具活力的地區組織之一。海合會國家區位優勢突出，是聯通亞非歐的地緣樞紐；能源資源富集，石油、天然氣儲量分別占全球的30%、20%，是世界經濟的能源寶庫；銳意開拓、敢為人先，是發展高新產業的沃土。40多年來，海合會致力于建設“一個市場、一個經濟體、一個金融體系”，在國際和地區事務中發揮日益重要的作用。

長期以來，中國同海合會國家關系保持健康穩定發展，各領域合作范圍廣、程度深、成果實。過去10年，中海關系更是枝繁葉茂、碩果累累。中國保持海合會第一大貿易伙伴和第一大石化產品出口國地位。2021年，雙方貿易額突破2300億美元，中國從海合會國家進口原油突破2億噸大關。雙方產能、基礎設施建設、投資金融等傳統合作廣泛深入，5G通信、新能源、航天、數字經濟等高技術合作方興未艾，“智造”新名片、產業新圖景展現出中海發展新氣象。

面向未來，中國將以建立并加強中海戰略伙伴關系為契機，同海合會國家鞏固傳統友好，深化互信，繼續堅定支持海合會國家維護主權、獨立、安全、穩定，繼續支持海方加快一體化建設、實現多元化發展。中國將同海方一道，打造更加立體的能源合作新格局，加快推動金融投資合作新發展，培育人文合作新亮點，拓展創新合作新領域，深化中海利益融合。

The GCC has achieved remarkable progress in its integration process, which makes it one of the world's most dynamic regional organizations. Given their geographical locations, GCC countries serve as a hub linking Asia, Africa and Europe. Endowed with rich energy resources, including 30 percent of the oil reserve and 20 percent of the natural gas reserve of the world, GCC countries are an energy tank for world economy. With their pioneering and enterprising spirit, GCC countries provide a fertile ground for high-tech industries. Over the past four decades and more, the GCC has been working hard to build an integral market, an integral economy, and an integral financial system in the region, and has been playing an increasingly important role in regional and international affairs.

Over the years, China and GCC countries have maintained healthy and steady growth in bilateral relations, and carried out wide-ranging, in-depth cooperation with tangible outcomes in all areas. In the past 10 years in particular, China-GCC relations have grown from strength to strength and yielded fruitful results. China has remained the GCC's largest trading partner and largest export market of petrochemical products. In 2021, two-way trade exceeded 230 billion U.S. dollars, and China's import of crude oil from GCC countries topped 200 million tons. The two sides enjoy extensive, in-depth cooperation in traditional areas such as production capacity, infrastructure development, investment and finance. Cooperation in high-tech sectors including 5G communications, new energy, space and digital economy is also gaining momentum. The new signature project of smart manufacturing cooperation and the new landscape of industrial cooperation have added fresh impetus to the development of China and GCC countries.

Looking into the future, China will seize the opportunity of the establishment and consolidation of the China-GCC strategic partnership to cement their traditional friendship and deepen mutual trust. China will continue to firmly support GCC countries in upholding sovereignty, independence, security and stability, and continue to support the GCC in accelerating integration and pursuing diversified development. China will work with the GCC to foster a new pattern of multi-faceted energy cooperation, accelerate new development in financial and investment cooperation, cultivate new highlights in people-to-people exchanges, and explore new areas of innovation cooperation. All this will help increase the convergence of interests between China and GCC countries.

四、再接再厲，推動中沙全面戰略伙伴關系再創新高

Fourth, sustained efforts to bring the China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights

沙特是全球重要能源輸出國和二十國集團成員。作為戰略伙伴和真誠朋友，中方高興地看到，沙特人民在薩勒曼國王和穆罕默德王儲領導下，朝著實現“2030愿景”奮力前進，經濟、社會多元化改革取得積極成效，“綠色中東”、“綠色沙特”等重大發展倡議備受關注，沙特在全球政治、經濟、能源等領域地位和影響不斷提升。我們為好朋友取得的成就感到驕傲。

中沙建交以來，雙邊關系蓬勃發展，過去10年中沙合作更是闊步前行。雙方尊重彼此主權和發展道路，尊重彼此歷史和文化傳統，支持彼此維護國家安全和穩定，開展緊密戰略協作。務實合作迅猛發展。從延布煉廠到古雷乙烯石化項目，從吉贊產業聚集區到紅海公用基礎設施項目，從5G通信到合作探月，重大項目接連上馬。人文交流不斷擴大，沙特4所大學開設中文專業，8所中小學開設中文選修課。中沙合拍的首部電視動畫《孔小西和哈基姆》廣受小朋友喜愛，播撒中沙友好的種子。

中方將以這次訪問為契機，同沙特加強全面戰略伙伴關系，始終不渝相互理解、相互支持，共同倡導獨立自主，攜手反對外部干涉。加強共建“一帶一路”倡議同沙特“2030愿景”對接，推動各領域務實合作走深走實，深化兩國利益融通、民心相通。加強在聯合國、二十國集團、上海合作組織等多邊機制內協作，共同踐行真正的多邊主義，為維護中東和平穩定、促進世界發展繁榮作出更大貢獻。

今年10月，中國共產黨成功召開第二十次全國代表大會，正在團結帶領中國人民向著全面建設社會主義現代化國家的方向前進。中國是維護世界和平、促進共同發展的堅定力量，將始終不渝以中國新發展為包括阿拉伯國家在內的世界各國提供新機遇，同阿拉伯兄弟一道，傳承歷史友好，共創美好未來！

Saudi Arabia is a major energy exporter in the world and a member of the G20. As its strategic partner and true friend, China is heartened to see that under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi people are marching in big strides toward Vision 2030 and making important progress in economic and social reform and diversification. Saudi Arabia's major development initiatives, the Middle East Green Initiative and the Saudi Green Initiative among many others, have captured wide attention. Its stature and influence in global political, economic and energy domains are on the rise. We are proud of our good friend for these accomplishments.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, relations between China and Saudi Arabia have maintained robust growth. Most notably, China-Saudi Arabia cooperation has made major headway in the past 10 years. The two sides respect each other's sovereignty and development path, respect each other's history and cultural traditions, support each other in defending national security and stability, and undertake close strategic coordination. Practical cooperation is expanding rapidly. Major projects have been launched one after another, including the Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company, the Sino-Saudi Gulei Ethylene Complex Project, the Chinese industrial cluster in Jazan Economic City, the Red Sea utilities and infrastructure project, 5G communications, and joint lunar explorations. People-to-people exchanges continue to grow. Chinese language major is now available in four Saudi universities, and optional Chinese language courses are provided in eight middle and primary schools. Hakim & Kong Xiaoxi, the first animated co-production of China and Saudi Arabia, is popular among children, sowing the seed of China-Saudi Arabia friendship in their hearts.

China will take this visit as an opportunity to strengthen its comprehensive strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia. We will continue to give each other understanding and support, and jointly advocate independence and oppose external interference. We will further synergize China's Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, deepen and substantiate practical cooperation in all areas, and increase the convergence of interests and people-to-people connectivity between the two countries. We will strengthen collaboration under multilateral frameworks such as the UN, the G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, jointly practice true multilateralism, and make greater contribution to maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East and promoting development and prosperity of the world.

Last October, the Communist Party of China successfully convened its 20th National Congress, and it is now rallying and leading the Chinese people toward the goal of building a modern socialist country in all respects. As a staunch force for world peace and common development, China will stay committed to providing new opportunities for Arab states and all other countries in the world through its own development, and work with our Arab brothers to carry forward the traditional friendship and create a better future together.