Chinese vice president meets Saudi king, crown prince

www.chinaview.cn 2008-06-22 03:50:04  

    JEDDAH, June 21 (Xinhua) --

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said here Saturday China places great importance on its relations with Saudi Arabia and regards the country as a close friend and partner.

    Xi made the remarks when meeting with King Abdullah bin Abdul-Azizi Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia Saturday afternoon.

    Xi conveyed the greetings and good wishes from Chinese President Hu Jintao to King Abdullah.

    Xi said since the heads of state of the two countries exchanged visits in 2006, China and Saudi Arabia have witnessed smooth development of bilateral links in an all-round way.

    China attaches great significance to the ties with Saudi Arabia and sees Saudi Arabia as a close friend and partner, Xi said, adding China is willing to join efforts with Saudi Arabia to substantially implement the consensuses reached by the heads of state so as to continuously reinforce and expand the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.

    At the same time, the Chinese vice president said, the two countries should jointly work for maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world at large and promoting development and progress of the human kind.

    King Abdullah said Saudi Arabia and China are true friends, noting that relations between the two countries enjoy a solid base.

    Saudi Arabia appreciates China's friendly policy and its impartial stance on international affairs, the king said, adding that Saudi Arabia treasures the traditional friendship with China and is ready to maintain high-level contact with China and strengthen exchange and cooperation in all fields.

    Xi thanked King Abdullah for his support and assistance to China after a severe earthquake in Wenchuan of southwest China's Sichuan province, stressing that this move fully reflects the deep friendly feelings the Saudi king and people cherish toward the Chinese people.

    China will use the fund donated by Saudi Arabia to build schools and hospitals in the earthquake-hit areas to mark the friendship between China and Saudi Arabia.

    King Abdullah expressed condolence again to China on the losses caused by the devastating earthquake, saying that Saudi Arabia is ready to offer more support and assistance to China.

    Xi briefed the king on the propositions of the Chinese government on building a harmonious society and promoting a harmonious world with lasting peace and universal prosperity.

    Xi also informed King Abdullah of the progress in the preparation for the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, voicing the belief that China is able to host a high-standard Olympic Games with unique characteristics, with the support and help of Saudi Arabia and the rest of the international community.

    King Abdullah said Saudi Arabia holds that different civilizations should show respect and boost dialogue with each other so as to coexist harmoniously. He expressed his belief that Beijing Olympic Games will be a success and an opportunity for people from all over the world to promote their friendship.

    The Chinese vice president also held talks with Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud Saturday afternoon.

    During the talks, Xi said in recent years China and Saudi Arabia have witnessed rapid growth of cooperation in all fields, noting that Saudi Arabia has remained the top trade partner of China in West Asia and Africa for the past seven years.

    Xi said China places great importance on the friendly and cooperative relations with Saudi Arabia and is ready to work with Saudi Arabia to substantially push forward practical cooperation in all fields.

Editor: Yan Liang

China-Saudi relations at best stage ever

www.chinaview.cn 2008-06-21 11:41:06  

    RIYADH, June 21 (Xinhua) --

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping is due to arrive here Saturday for an official visit at the invitation of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.

    Xi's visit comes at a time when bilateral relations are at their best stage ever, and is expected to further boost the friendly, cooperative relationship between China and Saudi Arabia.

    The Chinese leader is scheduled to meet with King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, and hold in-depth discussions on bilateral issues, and international and regional affairs of common concern.

    Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1990, bilateral ties have witnessed smooth and rapid development, helped by the joint efforts of the leaders, the governments and people of both countries.

    Mutual political trust has continued to deepen, along with marked reinforcement in communication and cooperation in sectors such as trade, energy, culture, education, health care and religion.

    The two countries hold a shared perspective on many major international and regional issues, and have maintained coordination and cooperation in international affairs.

    The heads of the two nations exchanged visits in 2006. King Abdullah visited China in January, while Chinese President Hu Jintao paid a return visit in April the same year.

    The leaders reached agreements on developing the friendly and cooperative strategic partnership, turning a new page in bilateral ties.

    The two nations have great potential in cooperation related to trade, energy, construction contracts and mutual investment.

    Saudi Arabia is China's largest trading partner in West Asia and North Africa, while China is Saudi Arabia's fourth largest trading partner.

    Bilateral trade volume reached 25 billion U.S. dollars in 2007,more than 80 times that in the 1990s.

    In the first quarter this year, China-Saudi Arabia trade volume registered a year-on-year increase of 77.4 percent, to reach 8.5 billion dollars.

    In the field of energy cooperation, the two nations have entered a new phase focusing on crude oil trade, joint oil and gas projects, and mutual investment.

    In 2007, China imported 25 million tons of crude oil from Saudi Arabia, one of its major oil providers.

    The two nations are also witnessing enhanced cultural, educational and religious cooperation and exchange, which has deepened understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

    In 2006, a Saudi Arabian cultural delegation attended the Arabic Arts Festival in China. The following year, the second workshop of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, under the thesis of China-Arab Civilization Dialogue, was held in Riyadh.

    Besides, about 200 Saudi students are currently studying in China under the King Abdullah Scholarship.

    The two nations' mutual friendship is also well reflected in the aid provided by Saudi Arabia to China following the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province on May 12.

    Shortly after the disaster, the Saudi Arabian government provided 50 million U.S. dollars in aid and relief materials worth10 million dollars for those affected.

    Both sides agree that bilateral ties are currently enjoying their best era in history.

    Saudi Arabia is the third leg of the Chinese vice president's ongoing five-nation tour. He has completed official visits to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Mongolia, and will next head to Qatar and Yemen.

Editor: Amber Yao