Saudi Arabia, China sign agreements, MoUs (SPA)
In the presence of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the visiting President of the Peoples Republic of China Hu Jintao, a number of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on cooperation between the two countries were signed here tonight.
At the outset of the signing ceremony, the Chinese Company for Building Railways was announced the successful bidder for the holy places train project.
The contract was co-signed by Prince Miteb bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, who is also Chairman of Makkah, Madinah and Sacred Places Development Commission, and the President of the Chinese Company for Building Railways Jin Yu Ching.
The project, which costs SR6,650,000,000 (SR 6.65 billion), will be completed within two years from the commencing date. It will operate by 35% of its capacity during 1431 AH. Hajj season and fully during 1433 AH. Hajj season.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) and Chinese State General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
The MoU was co-signed Minister of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of Board of Directors of Saudi Arabian Standards Organization Abdullah bin Ahmed Zainal and the Administration's Chairman Wang Yong.
A draft Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between King Abdulaziz Public Library in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Beijing University in the People's Republic of China on the establishment of a branch of the Library at the University.
The Memorandum was co-signed by Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muammar, Advisor at the Royal Court and General Supervisor of the Library and Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Yang Honglin.
Then, Princes and Ministers exchanged copies signed by the two sides.
The signing ceremony was attended by Prince Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister; Prince Abdulilah bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the King; Prince Miqren bin Abdulaziz, Chief of the General Intelligence; and Saudi Ambassador to China Yahya Abdulkarim Al-Zaid.
The ceremony was also attended by members of the official delegation accompanying the Chinese President.
--SPA