Aramco Asia President honored with Chinese Government Friendship Award

• The award honors international experts for their outstanding contribution to China’s development
• Saleh Y. Al Zaid wins the award at a critical time as China-Saudi relations have entered a period of fast and positive growth

Saleh Y. Al Zaid, President of Aramco Asia, was honored with the Chinese Government Friendship Award in a grand ceremony held in Beijing on September 30,2025 ahead of China’s National Day celebration.

This annual award represents the highest national recognition conferred by the Chinese government to international experts who have made outstanding contributions to China’s economic and social development.

Winning the award underscores Aramco’s deepening presence in China through strategic investments, industrial cooperation, and community engagement. The award comes at a critical time as China-Saudi relations have entered a period of fast and positive growth. 

Commenting on the award, Al Zaid noted, “It is my great honor to receive the Chinese Government Friendship Award. This recognition is a testament to our strong and enduring relationship with China. We are proud to contribute to China’s remarkable modernization drive and remain deeply committed to supporting its future development.”

Since establishing its Asia headquarters in Beijing in 2012, Aramco has steadily expanded its footprint in China. Investments now have exceeded 240 billion yuan, with Aramco’s share at over 90 billion yuan, spanning refining, chemicals, and emerging technologies. This growth reflects the company’s strong confidence in China’s dynamic economy and its long-term development potential.

With nine joint ventures established in China, Aramco plays a vital role in advancing China’s industrial development and innovation ecosystem. Its venture capital arm has been allocated approximately 55 billion yuan to invest across multiple markets. That includes investments already made in a number of Chinese startups. 

Beyond business, Aramco’s commitment to China is reflected in a series of long-term, strategically oriented programs. These initiatives that focus on people, environment and communities have made tangible impacts on healthcare, sports, biodiversity, education, and disaster relief.

These initiatives include partnering with the Yao Foundation to renovate over 60 basketball courts across the country, being an official sponsor to CBA to promote youth development and healthy lifestyles through basketball, delivering science lessons to primary school students, planting over 50,000 mangrove saplings to support coastal biodiversity, and improving schools’ infrastructure. 

Launched in the 1950s and formally resumed in 1991, the award recognizes the exceptional contributions of international experts who have played a vital role in China’s progress across key fields such as science and technology, education, healthcare, culture, and environment.

Since its establishment, around 2,000 experts from over 80 countries and regions have been honored, reflecting China’s appreciation for global collaboration and expertise.