On November 21, China Telecom Gulf officially announced the launch of its operations in Saudi Arabia. This milestone strengthens the company’s efforts to expand its global presence under the Belt and Road Initiative and promote the creation of a China-Arab community with a shared future.
The launch ceremony, held in Riyadh, was attended by Liu Guiqing, CEO and Vice President of China Telecom Corporation, as well as Fawaz, representative of the Chinese Enterprises Contact Office in Saudi Arabia and Deputy General Manager of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China’s Riyadh branch. Over 100 leaders and representatives from companies such as Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Huawei, the Bank of China, and the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy attended the event.
Commitment to Cooperation and Technological Development
In his inaugural speech, Liu Guiqing emphasized China Telecom’s commitment to openness, cooperation, and mutual benefit. He also highlighted the company’s willingness to share its expertise in areas such as cloud network integration, digital transformation, and technological innovation.
“We are ready to work closely with Saudi governments, businesses, and partners in developing cutting-edge digital infrastructure,” Liu stated. Additionally, he pointed out the company’s aim to become a strong bridge for technological cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia, providing innovative solutions based on 5G, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other key fields.
Support for Saudi Arabia’s Digital Transformation
For his part, Fawaz congratulated China Telecom Gulf on its entry into the Saudi market and emphasized the importance of this strategic move. “China Telecom has robust cloud network resources and mature international capabilities. Its presence in Saudi Arabia marks a significant advancement in supporting the digital transformation of companies in the region,” he noted.
Fawaz expressed his confidence that, through joint efforts, the company will contribute to Saudi Arabia’s socioeconomic development and practical cooperation between the two countries, especially at a time when Saudi Arabia is driving its digital vision under the Vision 2030 framework.
New Strategic Alliances
During the event, China Telecom Gulf signed strategic cooperation agreements with Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Huawei Saudi Arabia, and Baud Telecom Company. These alliances aim to combine the strengths of each company to provide optimized and convenient digital experiences for Saudi customers.
Among the services presented are eSurfing Cloud, high-performance computing solutions, quantum technology, and customized 5G networks. The company also highlighted its global infrastructure, which includes 53 international submarine cables, 27 self-managed data centers, and branches in 42 countries, allowing it to offer global coverage and customer-centric services.
A New Stage in China Telecom’s Global Strategy
The establishment of China Telecom Gulf in Saudi Arabia represents a key advancement in the company’s international expansion and its entry into the Middle Eastern telecommunications market. Looking ahead, China Telecom Gulf aims to work closely with Saudi local companies, expanding Chinese firms, and global players to strengthen industrial and technological cooperation between China and Gulf countries.
With its digital infrastructure and resource integration capabilities, the company seeks to drive the growth of the digital economy in the Middle East and provide intelligent solutions that meet market demands. This step reaffirms China Telecom’s commitment to becoming a leading global provider of digital and intelligent technological services.