BEIJING — His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in Beijing on Monday on expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, energy, manufacturing and digital trade, the Oman News Agency reported.

The expanded official talks took place at the Great Hall of the People during His Majesty’s state visit to China.

The leaders reviewed existing cooperation and ways to strengthen it, particularly in technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, energy and renewable energy, ONA said.

Discussions also covered manufacturing, logistics, digital trade and food security, alongside closer integration between the two countries’ economic zones and ports.

The meeting followed an official welcoming ceremony at which Xi received His Majesty. A 21-gun salute marked the Sultan’s arrival, followed by the playing of the Omani royal anthem and Chinese national anthem and an inspection of the guard of honour.

His Majesty arrived in Beijing on Sunday for the two-day visit at Xi’s invitation.

The trip marks the first visit to China by an Omani Sultan, according to Oman’s ambassador to Beijing, His Excellency Anwar bin Ahmed Muqabil, who said ahead of the visit that it offered an opportunity to broaden the countries’ strategic partnership.

The ambassador told ONA that bilateral trade exceeded $25 billion in 2025, with China representing the largest market for Omani exports.