In September 2020, Tianjin Desalination Institute signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC). According to the memorandum, the two sides will cooperate in the fields of reverse osmosis and multi-effect distillation desalination, new desalination technology research and development, and desalination technology standardization through experience exchange, personnel exchange, and cooperative research and development, so as to promote the development of desalination technology and industry in the two countries.

SWCC is a state-owned company responsible for the operation of desalination and power engineering in Saudi Arabia. It is responsible for more than 69% of the desalinated water production in Saudi Arabia, and its desalination plants have the largest total production capacity in the world. At the 2018 International Desalination Association Research and Development Committee Academic Seminar hosted by it, the Desalination Institute was invited to give a keynote speech entitled "Operation Experience and Lessons of National Desalination Research Institutes", which was highly recognized by SWCC. Considering that the Desalination Institute has a strong reference value in the field of desalination, SWCC took the initiative to propose the signing of a strategic cooperation memorandum to enhance exchanges and establish a long-term and stable cooperative relationship. In December of the same year, during the third meeting of the Trade and Investment Subcommittee of the China-Saudi Arabia High-Level Joint Committee, Dr. Ahamed S. AL-Arifi, Saudi representative, member of the China-Saudi Arabia High-Level Committee, and Director of the International Department of SWCC, formally submitted the draft text of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation to the Desalination Institute. In order to implement the spirit of the relevant meetings of the China-Saudi Arabia (Special) High-Level Committee and promote practical cooperation in seawater desalination between the two sides, the Desalination Institute and SWCC held several consultations and reached an agreement on the content of the memorandum text, and reported it to the superior authorities of both sides, the Ministry of Natural Resources of China and the Saudi Council of Ministers for approval. In view of the current international epidemic situation, after consultation between the two sides, the memorandum text was signed through remote online signing, and it officially came into effect on September 2, 2020.