On the afternoon of December 7, local time, President Xi arrived in Riyadh by special plane. At the invitation of King Salman of Saudi Arabia, he attended the first China-Arab Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit and paid a state visit to Saudi Arabia.

After Xi's special plane entered Saudi airspace, four fighters of Saudi Air Force took off to escort. After the special plane entered Riyadh, six "Saudi Eagle" concierge escorts flew with it.

When Xi arrived at King Khalid Airport in Riyadh by special plane, he was warmly welcomed by Saudi Arabia. A 21-gun salute was fired at the airport, and the concierge escort aircraft pulled out the red and yellow ribbons symbolizing the Chinese flag in the air. The ceremonial soldiers were on both sides of the purple carpet, and the national flags of China and Saudi Arabia fluttered in the wind. Prince Faisal, Governor of Riyadh Province, Prince Faisal, Foreign Minister, Lu Meiyan, Minister of China Affairs and other important members of the royal family and senior government officials warmly welcomed them.

Xi delivered a written speech and extended sincere greetings and best wishes to the Saudi government and people on behalf of the Chinese government and people. Xi pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 32 years ago, the strategic mutual trust between China and Saudi Arabia has been continuously consolidated, and pragmatic cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results. Especially since the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries in 2016, together with King Salman, I have led the rapid development of China-Saudi Arabia relations, which not only benefited the two peoples, but also effectively promoted regional peace, stability, prosperity and development. During my visit, I will have an in-depth exchange of views with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern, and jointly plan the development direction of China-Saudi Arabia relations. I look forward to attending the first China-Arab Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, and working with the leaders of Arab countries and GCC countries to push China-Arab and China-Shipping relations to a new level.

Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and State Councilor, He Lifeng, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the National Committee Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chen Weiqing also greeted him at the airport.