Special reports:
President Hu visits five Asian, African
nations
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Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao (L)
talks with Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz during their meeting
in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 10, 2009. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)
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Gallery>>> |
RIYADH, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu
Jintao met Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz here Tuesday on deepening
the two countries' friendship and cooperation.
Hu arrived here earlier in the day at the start of
his "journey of friendship and cooperation" to Saudi Arabia and four African
countries.
In a written statement issued upon his arrival, Hu
said he would exchange views with the king on China-Saudi Arabia ties and global
and regional issues of common concern, including ways of addressing the
international financial crisis.
Since China and Saudi Arabia established diplomatic
ties in 1990, bilateral relations have developed steadily, with increasing
exchange of visits at different levels and expanding cooperation in various
sectors.
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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)
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Saudi Arabia is now China's largest trading partner
in West Asia and North Africa. In 2008, two-way trade between China and Saudi
Arabia amounted to 41.8 billion U.S. dollars.
During the visit, President Hu will also meet Abdul
Rahman Al-Attiya, secretary general of the Cooperation Council for the Arab
States of the Gulf (GCC), to discuss cooperation between China and GCC member
countries.
From Riyadh, Hu will travel on to Mali, Senegal,
Tanzania and Mauritius.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told
reporters last week that Hu's visit was aimed at further strengthening China's
friendship and cooperation with these countries.
"It is believed that the visit will promote the
in-depth development of China-Saudi Arabia strategic friendly relations and
China-Africa new strategic partnership and further consolidate the China-Africa
traditional friendship," said Jiang.
Sudanese minister highlights
Sudan-China desire to enhance ties
KHARTOUM, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese Minister
of Energy and Mining Al Zubair Ahmed Al Hassan Tuesday highlighted the shared
desire of Sudan and China to enhance their ties of cooperation and friendship.
The Sudanese minister made the remarks
in an interview with Xinhua at the Chinese Embassy in Sudan, where a party was
held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between China and Sudan. Full story
Sudanese presidential adviser says
Sudan-China ties model to world
KHARTOUM, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese Presidential Adviser Mustafa Othman
Ismail said on Tuesday that Sudan and China had provided to the world a model of
continuous and fruitful strategic relations aimed at realizing the interests of
both sides.
The senior Sudanese official made the
remarks in an interview with Xinhua at the Chinese Embassy in Sudan, where a
party was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between China and Sudan.Full story
President Hu arrives in Riyadh for
state visit
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Chinese President Hu Jintao (L front)
and Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz (R front) review the honor
guard during a welcoming ceremony upon Hu's arrival at the airport in
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 10, 2009. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
Photo Gallery>>> |
RIYADH, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Riyadh
on Tuesday at the start of his "trip of friendship and cooperation" with Saudi
Arabia and Africa.
"With the joint efforts, I am convinced that the visit will be a complete
success and the China-Saudi Arabia strategic friendship will be further
developed," Hu said in a written statement on arrival at Riyadh Air Base.
