Chinese President Hu visits Saudi Arabia

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Hu Jintao put forward a six-point proposal to enhance the Sino-Saudi strategic friendship. First, the two countries should maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges and initiate the mechanism of Sino-Saudi joint committee at an early date. Second, bring the two countries' advantages in resources and market into full play and develop a comprehensive energy cooperation partnership. Third, expand the scale of economic and trade cooperation and continue to improve the quality of cooperation. Fourth, speed up exchanges in education, sports and tourism and promote exchanges of personnel. Fifth, strengthen coordination and consultations on important international and regional issues. And sixth, enhance China's cooperation with the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao (L front)  and Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz  (R front) walk into the venue of their meeting  in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 10, 2009.  (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Hu Jintao also said the Chinese government and people appreciate Saudi Arabia's support for the relief efforts following the Wenchuan earthquake last year and for the Beijing Olympic Games.

The Saudi King said the two countries' friendly ties are in line with the interests of the two countries and Saudi Arabia is keen to strengthen bilateral relations. He said Saudi Arabia is willing to expand cooperation with China in trade and various other fields and exchange views on international issues of common concerns. He said the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf has had very good cooperation with China and all its member states are willing to promote ties with China.