On January 29, 2026, Lyu Zexiang, Overseas Operations Director of China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC), held talks with Nabil R. Al-Khowaiter, Senior Vice President of Saudi Aramco, in Beijing. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions and reached consensus on deepening exchanges in scientific and technological innovation, as well as expanding cooperation in the fields of new energy, seawater desalination, new-type energy storage, and integrated green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol. This meeting not only represents a practical measure for China-Saudi Arabia energy cooperation but also aligns with the strategic deployment of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to "make forward-looking arrangements for future industries such as hydrogen energy."
Lyu Zexiang welcomed Nabil R. Al-Khowaiter and his delegation, introducing CEEC's advantages across the entire industry chain in the energy and power sector and its performance in the Middle East market. He stated that the two sides share highly aligned concepts regarding green transformation cooperation. He expressed hope to establish a regular communication mechanism, strengthen technology and information sharing, and jointly expand cooperation in areas such as new energy, cogeneration, seawater desalination, and green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol, thereby contributing to global energy transition.
Nabil R. Al-Khowaiter appreciated CEEC's comprehensive strength and international performance, noting that Saudi Aramco is advancing the diversification of its energy structure and will focus on investing in new energy and other related projects in the future. He stated that CEEC is a trustworthy partner and looked forward to both sides leveraging their respective advantages, innovating cooperation models, deepening multi-field collaboration, and jointly promoting global green and low-carbon development.
The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee had previously identified hydrogen energy and related fields as new economic growth points for the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, providing direction for international energy cooperation. The current focus on cooperation in areas such as green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol not only represents a concrete practice in response to the national layout for future industries but will also inject momentum into deepening China-Saudi Arabia energy cooperation and advancing the global energy transition.
Participants in the talks included Jamal A. Al-Azizi, Director of Procurement and Supply Chain Management at Saudi Aramco Asia Company; Xin Zongyi, Vice President of CEEC International Group; and relevant officials from both sides.
