Chinese President Hu Jintao has arrived in Saudi Arabia to discuss economic and energy cooperation as his country looks for oil to boost its growth and the kingdom to improve ties with Asian powers.
A series of cooperation agreements will be signed after Hu holds talks with King Abdullah, a Chinese embassy official said.
Hu was received at Riyadh airport by the capital's Governor Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Oil Minister Ali al-Nuaimi, the official told AFP.
The Chinese leader is set to meet Saudi businessmen and call on petrochemical giant Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) before flying to the oil-rich Eastern Province on Sunday to meet officials of state oil conglomerate Saudi Aramco in Dhahran.
On his part, Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing has said the visit of Hu Jintao would "positively contribute" to further cementing Saudi-Chinese relations. In a statement to Jeddah-based Arabic newspaper Okaz" published Saturday Li Zhaoxing said the Saudi and Chinese views are identical towards several regional and international issues.
The Chinese minister highlighted the potentialities owned by Saudi Arabia in the energy resources, capital and consuming capabilities.
He pointed out that close cooperation is exiting between the two countries in the spheres of energy, economy and trade, adding that Saudi Arabia has become the biggest oil source for China in the world and its biggest commercial partner in West Asia and North Africa.
