Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L) meets with Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul-Azizi Al-Saud (R) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, June 21, 2008. Xi arrived in Jeddah for an official visit to Saudi Arabia Saturday.(Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) Photo Gallery>>>

    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.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R, front) meets with Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul-Azizi Al-Saud (L, front) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, June 21, 2008. Xi arrived in Jeddah for an official visit to Saudi Arabia Saturday.(Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) Photo Gallery>>>

    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.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L) shakes hands with Saudi Arabian Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud after signing a joint declaration in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, June 21, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    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.