According to reports, Saudi Arabia signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with China in Riyadh on January 15, 2012 during the visit of the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Saudi Arabia. The cooperation is intended for cooperation in the development and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, which will help to meet Saudi Arabia’s rising demand for energy and cut its growing dependence on oil and gas. According to official sources, “The nuclear energy cooperation agreement seeks to establish a legal framework that strengthens scientific, technological and economic cooperation between Riyadh and Beijing, while the two sides reaffirm their desire to place the highest priority on nuclear safety and environmental protection.” The signing ceremony was witnessed by King Abdullah and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao together with a large number of high-ranking Saudi and Chinese officials. 1

• 1. “Kingdom, China ink nuclear cooperation pact”, Arab News, January 16, 2012, at http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article563797.ece