China Telecom Gulf officially launched operations on November 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step in expanding China Telecom’s international presence. This milestone aligns with China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” and aims to foster a “China-Arab Community with a Shared Future.” Over 100 guests attended the event, including leaders from the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of the PRC in KSA, Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Bank of China, Huawei, and others.
China Telecom’s Commitment
The launch event emphasized China Telecom’s commitment to open collaboration and mutual benefit. Mr. Liu Guiqing, Executive Director and EVP of China Telecom Corporation, highlighted the company’s readiness to share its expertise in areas such as cloud-network integration, cloud transformation, and intelligent operations. China Telecom plans to partner with Saudi government entities, enterprises, and other stakeholders to enhance the local digital infrastructure, accelerate the adoption of next-generation information technologies, and strengthen cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in the field of information technology.
Support from Key Partners
Mr. Fawaz, representing the Contact Office of Chinese Companies in Saudi Arabia, extended his warm congratulations on the launch. He highlighted China Telecom’s extensive cloud-network resources and international service capabilities, expressing optimism about the company’s role in the region’s digital transformation. He also stressed that this collaboration would drive Saudi Arabia’s socio-economic development and foster practical cooperation between the two nations.
Showcase of Strengths
At the event, China Telecom showcased its global resources and business capabilities, including investments and partnerships in the Middle East and Africa. Highlights included services such as eSurfing Cloud, computing power solutions, quantum technology, and customized 5G networks. With a presence in 42 countries, 53 international submarine cables, and 27 self-operated Internet Data Centers (IDCs), China Telecom’s robust infrastructure supports a global customer base.
Strategic Partnerships
Strategic cooperation agreements were signed between China Telecom Gulf and several prominent entities, including Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Huawei Saudi Arabia, and Baud Telecom Company. These partnerships aim to provide optimized digital experiences to Saudi customers by leveraging each organization’s strengths.
Future Plans and Goals
The establishment of China Telecom’s operations in Saudi Arabia marks an important milestone in the company’s strategy to enter the Middle Eastern communications market. Moving forward, China Telecom Gulf plans to leverage its digital infrastructure to collaborate closely with local Saudi enterprises, Chinese businesses expanding internationally, and other global companies. The goal is to enhance industrial cooperation between China, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Middle East, offering innovative smart solutions to bolster the region’s digital economy.
Impact on Digital Transformation
Overall, China Telecom’s initiative underscores its ambition to become a world-class provider of digital and intelligent technology services, furthering the advancement of Sino-Saudi cooperation. This strategic move demonstrated a commitment to fostering deeper ties and promoting technological growth within the region’s digital landscape. The company’s efforts were expected to have noteworthy impacts on the digital transformation journey of businesses in Saudi Arabia and beyond.