The Saudi-China tech partnership has taken a significant step forward following a series of high-level meetings in Beijing led by Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha. Accompanied by the Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) Eng. Haytham AlOhali and Saudi Ambassador to China Abdulrahman Al-Harbi, the delegation met with Chinese government officials and technology executives. These discussions focused on artificial intelligence, the digital economy, technology transfer, space, and emerging technologies.
During the visit, Alswaha met with the Minister of Science and Technology of China, Yin Hejun. The two sides discussed enhancing cooperation in artificial intelligence, the digital economy, technology transfer, and talent exchange programs. Furthermore, they explored expanding the presence of leading Chinese technology companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This initiative aims to support the growth of the local digital economy and support technological innovation.
Strengthening the Saudi-China tech partnership
This meeting highlights how the Saudi-China tech partnership is evolving to address key areas of mutual interest. The discussions emphasized the importance of talent exchange and technology transfer to build national capabilities. Consequently, both nations are working to create a more integrated environment for technological development and research, which aligns with the Kingdom’s broader digital transformation goals.
Cooperation in Space Technologies
In the space sector, Alswaha held talks with Dr. Shan Zhongde, the Administrator of the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology. The meeting focused on opportunities for cooperation in space technologies and expanding partnerships in innovation. Additionally, the officials discussed developing capabilities related to the space sector to enhance Saudi Arabia’s global presence in this field.
Advancing Generative AI with Moonshot AI
The Saudi delegation also met with the executive leadership of Moonshot AI, the developer of the Kimi large language model (LLM). The discussions centered on the development of large language models and AI-powered generative technologies. Specifically, the parties explored technology transfer and commercialization strategies to support the growth of the Kingdom’s digital economy and emerging technologies.
Expanding ByteDance Presence in Saudi Arabia
In another key meeting, Alswaha met with the Chairman of ByteDance China, Zhang Lidong. The talks focused on cooperation in generative artificial intelligence, data centers, algorithm development, and large language models. Moreover, they discussed expanding the company’s presence in the Kingdom to contribute to the growth of the technology innovation sector and enhance the competitiveness of the digital economy.
These meetings build on the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to forge high-impact international partnerships and attract advanced technologies and investments. By developing national capabilities and strengthening its global presence in technology, artificial intelligence, and space, Saudi Arabia continues to advance its strategic goals. These initiatives are designed to enhance the competitiveness of the local technology sector on a global scale.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
