King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz arrives in Beijing at noon Sunday, kicking off his three-day state visit to China as guest of President Hu Jintao.

It will be the first ever visit of the Saudi Arabian king to China since the two countries established their diplomatic relations in 1990.

This will also be the first official visit that the King has ever made to another country since he came to the throne.

During his stay in Beijing, President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao will meet or hold talks with him respectively for an exchange of views on such issues as the further expansion of bilateral cooperation in energy, economic and trade areas.

(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2006)