As part of broader steps toward bilateral cooperation in the aerospace sector, China welcomes astronauts from the bloc to enter the Chinese space station and conduct joint missions with Chinese crews and space science experiments, he said.

Xi called on both sides to foster new highlights in language and culture cooperation, saying that China will conduct cooperation with 300 universities and schools from the GCC on Chinese language education and set up 300 smart Chinese language classrooms in member states of the bloc.

The Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud said the GCC members all hope to enhance cooperation with China, and the bloc remains committed to scaling up exchanges in experiences and technological cooperation with China to work toward greater outcomes in infrastructure, health and energy.

The summit adopted a joint declaration and an action plan for strategic dialogue between China and the GCC from 2023 to 2027.

XU WEI in Riyadh

xuwei@chinadaily.com.cn