Jeddah, 9 May 2023 (TDI): A delegation from the Atomic Energy Agency of China arrived and held talks with the Saudi Arabia Geological Survey Authority (SGS) to enhance bilateral cooperation in the areas of peaceful use of atomic energy and nuclear technology.
The talks were held in this regard between Eng. Abdullah Al-Shamrani, CEO of the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS), and Liu Jing, vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA), at the headquarters of SGS in Jeddah on Monday.
During their talks, the SGS and CAEA officials examined ways of developing partnerships and mutual cooperation in the fields of geosciences and alternative geo-energy.
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Arab states are increasingly building broader ties with China, which sees the region as an important conduit for its Belt and Road Initiative needed to reach trading partners in Europe.
Saudi Arabia has long sought to develop a civilian nuclear programme in order to reduce its dependence on oil. It also wants to develop further its uranium resources, which are believed to be extensive enough to allow for export.
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It is noteworthy that the four-day visit of the Chinese Atomic Energy delegation comes as part of the meetings with officials of the Saudi Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission and the Saudi Geological Survey to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in the areas of peaceful use of atomic energy and nuclear technology.
The meeting reviewed a number of projects related to geological sciences and the national geological database and the capabilities and experiences possessed by the two parties, which ensure the improvement of the outputs of joint work.
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The Chinese delegation also paid a field visit to the drilling library to view the mechanism and digitization of core drilling samples, as well as colored spectral images of mineral components.
