Chinese Ambassador to Riyadh Wu Chunhua commented on the significance of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz's visit to China, saying it will push Sino-Saudi cooperation to a new level.

 

It is King Abdullah's first official visit to another country since he succeeded to the throne last year and he is also the first Saudi king to visit China since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1990. 

 

King Abdullah arrived in Beijing on Sunday, the start of a three-day state visit to China as President Hu Jintao's guest. 

 

During his stay in Beijing, President Hu, top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao will meet with him to discuss issues including the further expansion of bilateral cooperation in energy, economic and trade areas. 

 

The two sides are expected to sign a package of accords on economic and technical cooperation. 

 

In the political field, China and Saudi Arabia have no fundamental conflicts but reciprocal cooperation and the common will to further develop cooperative relations, Wu said. 

 

Holding identical or similar views on many international and regional issues, such as on Iraq, both sides make close consultations and coordination on these issues, and support each other on the issues of human rights and the war on terror, Wu added. 

 

Economically, the two countries are strongly supplementary, and there is huge potential for boosting trade. China is Saudi Arabia's fourth largest importer and the fifth largest exporter, while Saudi Arabia is China's tenth largest importer and the biggest oil supplier. 

 

In addition to the oil trade, both countries have also begun mutual investment in the energy sector.

 

Wu said China is willing to join hands with Saudi Arabia to strengthen friendship and extend cooperation. He believes that the prospects for future bilateral ties are bright.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2006)