Chinese president meets Saudi Arabian king on ties

Source: Xinhua | 02-11-2009 07:59

RIYADH, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao met Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz here Tuesday on deepening the two countries' friendship and cooperation.

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) talks with Saudi  Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz during their meeting  in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 10, 2009. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Hu arrived here earlier in the day at the start of his "journey of friendship and cooperation" to Saudi Arabia and four African countries.

In a written statement issued upon his arrival, Hu said he would exchange views with the king on China-Saudi Arabia ties and global and regional issues of common concern, including ways of addressing the international financial crisis.

Since China and Saudi Arabia established diplomatic ties in 1990, bilateral relations have developed steadily, with increasing exchange of visits at different levels and expanding cooperation in various sectors.

Saudi Arabia is now China's largest trading partner in West Asia and North Africa. In 2008, two-way trade between China and Saudi Arabia amounted to 41.8 billion U.S. dollars.