Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Visits Saudi Arabiai, Attends World Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, January 17, 2012

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Visits Saudi Arabiai, Attends World Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi

January 17, 2012

Chinese premier calls for concerted global efforts to secure energy supply

ABU DHABI, Jan. 16, 2012 (Xinhua) --

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday urged the world to work together to secure a safer and more stable and sustainable supply in the global energy market.

"To reduce the problems and inequality brought by the energy and resources issues, countries in the world should take further action and exert more effort," Wen said in his keynote speech at the opening of the 5th World Future Energy Summit (WFES).

He offered a four-point proposal to achieve the objectives.

Firstly, increasing energy efficiency should be put on top of the agenda to establish national economies that featured reduced energy input, lower energy consumption and less emissions.

Second, the development of renewable energy should be promoted by adopting more favorable policies to help expand the technological application in an effort to cut costs.

His third proposal was to actively promote new technologies to enhance efficiency. As long as intellectual property was properly protected, developed countries should help developing and under-developed countries to step up technology transfer endeavors, Wen noted.

Lastly, the premier urged countries to effectively safeguard energy security. To this end, Wen proposed establishing a global energy market management mechanism based on the principle of mutual benefit and within the framework of G20.

He also stressed that China had, as always, respected the paths that governments and peoples in West Asia and North Africa had chosen to develop their own economies by taking advantage of their abundant natural resources.

"China will work with the nations in the world to step up international cooperation and promote sustainable innovation to build a new world with green development and sustainable growth," the Chinese premier said.

The WFES, a global platform launched in 2008 for sustainable future energy solutions, gathers industrial leaders, investors, scientists, specialists, policymakers and researchers to discuss challenges of rising energy demand and actions to achieve a cleaner and more sustainable future for the world.

Wen arrived here Monday morning after concluding an official visit to Saudi Arabia. He visited Nepal on Saturday before flying to the Middle East. The trip will also take him to Qatar.

China, UAE to establish strategic partnership: Chinese premier

ABU DHABI, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) --

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday that China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will establish a strategic partnership.

Wen made the announcement while meeting with UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan. A joint communique will be issued later.

The move to further promote bilateral ties will enable the two countries to cooperate with each other in more areas and to better deal with future challenges, he said.

The Chinese premier said building such a partnership had been a common desire for both sides, and it was also what the new situation demanded. He said the two sides had treated each other as equals with respect and enjoyed ever deepening political mutual trust, fruitful cooperation, and closer cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

The Gulf region is the world's major source of energy, therefore maintaining stability and peace in the area was not only in the interests of the region's countries, but had important implications for the world, the premier said.

Wen also said China was willing to work with the Gulf countries,including the UAE, in making unremitting efforts to promote stability and development of the region.

Khalifa said his country hoped to strengthen its all-around cooperation with China and Wen's visit would bring bright prospects for bilateral relations.

The UAE also hoped regional countries could preserve stability and live in peace and security, the president said.

China, Saudi Arabia vow to enhance bilateral relations

RIYADH, Jan. 15, 2012 (Xinhua) --

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Saudi Arabia's King and Prime Minister Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz agreed on Sunday to make concerted efforts to enhance bilateral relations under a strategic framework.

In their meeting, Premier Wen said Saudi Arabia is a major country in the Arab and Islamic world, which plays a significant role in regional and international affairs.

He said China respects Saudi Arabia's political system, development mode as well as its culture and traditions, and is grateful for Saudi Arabia's understanding of and support for China regarding the latter's core interests and major concerns.

As the world is undergoing profound changes, China is willing to strengthen coordination with Saudi Arabia on major issues, develop an all-around cooperative partnership in the energy sector, expand cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, high-tech, finance, security and law enforcement, so as to enrich the contents of the bilateral relations, he added.

King Abdullah said that the government and people of Saudi Arabia cherish friendly feelings for China, and that he believes the strengthening of bilateral cooperation will benefit peoples of both countries.

The Saudi king proposed setting up a Saudi Arabia-China high level committee to supervise the two countries' cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and security sectors. Premier Wen agreed with this proposal.

On the situation in West Asia and North Africa, the visiting Chinese premier said China respect the choice of the peoples in those countries, understand and support their appeal for reforms, and back the role of regional bodies like the Arab League in maintaining stability.

For his part, King Abdullah noted it was the objective of Saudi Arabia's foreign policy to maintain regional peace and stability. Saudi Arabia and China enjoy a high level of mutual trust and share similar views on many issues, he said, adding that the Saudi side wishes to step up consultation and coordination with China.

Premier Wen has also met with top Saudi leaders, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, and Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Abdullatif al-Zayani.

In a joint statement, the two sides hailed Premier Wen's visit to Saudi Arabia as a complete success, which will contribute to their long-term friendly cooperative relations.

The statement said both countries were satisfied with the progress made in bilateral cooperation, and pledged to further enhance relations within the framework of strategic relationship, so as to benefit the two peoples and contribute to regional and world peace, stability and development.

The two countries agreed in the document to conduct more high-level exchanges of visits, and to expand trade, investment and cooperation in a wide range of areas. The Saudi side also reiterated its adherence to the one-China policy.

Wen arrived in Saudi Arabia Saturday evening after an official visit to Nepal.

After his stay in Saudi Arabia, the Chinese leader will continue his visit to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

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