Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has decided to include the Chinese language in the curriculum at all stages of schools and universities in the Gulf kingdom, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Media announced on Friday.

"In an effort to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People's Republic of China, and deepen the strategic partnership at all levels, it was agreed to include the Chinese language in the curriculum at all stages of Saudi schools and universities," the Saudi ministry said in a statement.

The decision was made as Prince Mohammed led a high-level delegation to Beijing, where he held talks with top Chinese officials with an aim to boost the "comprehensive strategic partnership" between China and Saudi Arabia.

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the Saudi Crown Prince at the Great Hall of the People on Friday. President Xi, during his meeting with Prince Mohammed, called on the two sides to reinforce synergy of development strategies and cement the integration of each other's interests.

Related story: Xi: China to open up new prospect of relations with Saudi Arabia

Read also: China posts four-point proposal to boost cooperation with Saudi Arabia

Read also: China to boost high-tech cooperation with Saudi Arabia

The Saudi decision to introduce Chinese language in its education system comes with a belief in the necessity of strengthening the bonds of cooperation and communication in all fields and enabling a comprehensive strategic partnership to achieve the aspirations of the Saudi and Chinese leadership, the Saudi statement asserted.

It also aims to increase opportunities between the two peoples, who have long-established relations, it added.

The statement further emphasized that the inclusion of Chinese language will enhance the cultural diversity of students in the kingdom and contribute to achieving the future national goals in the field of education as envisaged in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 socio-economic reforms.

"Including Chinese into the curriculum is an important step towards opening up new horizons for students of various educational levels in the kingdom, as learning Chinese is a bridge between the two peoples that will contribute to increased trade and cultural ties," it concluded. 

Aligning BRI and Vision 2030

Related story: Saudi Arabia to become key CPEC partner with Pakistan refinery deal

Analysis: Saudi-built mega oil city near Gwadar port to complement China's BRI

Read also: Chinese-built Mecca Light Railway praised by Hajj pilgrims

The ambitious Vision 2030 development strategy, spearheaded by the Saudi Crown Prince, is aimed at diversifying the Gulf kingdom's oil-based economy through a range of socio-economic reforms.

During Prince Mohammed's talks with Xi, the Chinese President acknowledged the need to align Vision 2030 with China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).  

"The two countries should speed up the signing of an implementation plan on connecting the Belt and Road Initiative with the Saudi Vision 2030," Xi said, also expecting further progress on practical bilateral cooperation in areas such as energy, infrastructure, trade, investment and high value-added industries.

Prince Mohammed responded saying “Saudi Arabia supports the Belt and Road Initiative and hopes to align it with the Saudi Vision 2030 to deepen bilateral practical cooperation in various fields,” also pointing out that the Arabian Peninsula has historically been a part of the ancient Silk Road.

Expressing Saudi Arabia's confidence in the “bright future of China's development under the leadership of President Xi,” Prince Mohammed reiterated that Riyadh considers China as an important strategic partner and appreciates China's support for the domestic reforms and development of Saudi Arabia.

(Cover: Secondary school students sit for an exam at the Abu Baker Al Arabi government school in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 20, 2010. /Reuters Photo)