On october 6, 2025 — The “Imprints of the Times · Echoes of Humanity” Sino–Saudi Literary Salon was held at King Saud University (KSU), co-hosted by the Sinopec Middle East Office, China Intercontinental Press and King Saud University. The event brought together leading writers and scholars from China and Saudi Arabia for a wide-ranging dialogue on how individuals and eras are portrayed across civilizations. More than 100 guests from the Embassy of China in Saudi Arabia and cultural and educational institutions attended. 

At the opening, Zhao Haiyun, Deputy Director-General of the Import & Export Administration Bureau, Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said China and Saudi Arabia “remain bound by mutual learning between civilizations.” He expressed hope that the salon would spur more two-way translation and promotion of outstanding literary works so that “dialogue continues and cultural echoes endure.” 

Dr. Osama A. Al-Ghamdi, Assistant to the Vice President for Educational and Academic Affairs at KSU, noted the breadth of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China in publishing and thanked Sinopec for its contribution to the Kingdom’s economic, social and cultural development. Dr. Mezyad Alterkawi, who heads KSU’s Global Engagement Office, said the university will continue to deepen Saudi–Chinese friendship through sustained academic and cultural exchanges. 

Lian Mingxiang, Chief Representative of the Sinopec Middle East Office, emphasized that the energy and chemicals sector should not only supply resources, but also help strengthen people-to-people ties. Sinopec will keep working with universities, publishers, cultural institutions, writers and scholars in both countries to enrich the spiritual life of their peoples.

The dialogue featured Mai Jia, Vice Chairman of the China Writers Association, a Mao Dun Literature Prize laureate; Yousef Al-Mohaimeed, winner of the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information’s Book Award; Prof. Lin Fengmin of Peking University; and Prof. Ibrahim Al-Fallay of King Saud University. The speakers exchanged views on creative process, civilizational exchange, social transformation and individual destiny. Afterward, the authors signed books and met readers. 

This literary salon is part of Sinopec’s expanding program of cultural exchange in Saudi Arabia, following a successful edition hosted at Prince Sultan University in 2024.