On the afternoon of January 23, 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Saudi Arabian King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz in the Great Hall of the People. The two heads of state made positive comments on bilateral relations and agreed to further strengthen pragmatic cooperation and push for in-depth development of bilateral strategic relations of friendly cooperation.

Hu said that though both sides established diplomatic ties not long ago, their relations have been developing rapidly. Both sides have conducted frequent exchanges of high-level visits with mutual understanding and trust increasingly built up. They have also conducted fruitful cooperation in the areas of economy, trade and energy. Saudi Arabia has become China's largest trading partner in Western Asia and North Africa and the two countries have conducted effective cooperation in the areas of culture, science & technology and security. They share broad consensus on major international and regional issues and have maintained sound cooperation. China appreciates and thanks Saudi Arabia for its precious support on Taiwan and other questions. Hu indicated that China attaches great importance to developing bilateral strategic relations of friendly cooperation and would like to make joint efforts with Saudi Arabia so that the two countries will become good friends and partners of long-term friendship and all-round cooperation.

Abdullah said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1990, both countries have conducted effective cooperation in various areas. China has a time-honored history and ancient civilization and has scored enormous achievements attracting worldwide attention in the modernization drive and played a positive role in international and regional affairs. The Saudi Arabian people show high respect for great China and cherish the profound friendship with China. Saudi Arabia will continue to resolutely pursue the one-China policy and commit to promoting in-depth development of bilateral friendly cooperative relations.

Hu suggested that both sides further strengthen their relations and pragmatic cooperation in various areas from the following four aspects. First, to build up mutual trust and deepen political relations. Both sides should maintain high-level exchanges, keep closer dialogue and consultations at all levels, support each other's efforts in safeguarding state sovereignty and territorial integrity and continue to enhance mutual support and cooperation in international and regional affairs. Second, to pursue mutual benefits and strengthen energy cooperation. China would like to conduct all-round cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the energy area to continuously improve dialogue mechanism and cooperative approach and comprehensively enhance cooperative level in this regard. Third, to give play to complementary advantages and expand economic and trade cooperation. China would like to strengthen cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the areas of infrastructure construction, information communications, finance and investment, encourage related government departments, non-governmental organizations, chambers of commerce and businesses of both sides to conduct economic and trade exchanges at all levels and jointly open a new situation for economic and trade cooperation. Fourth, to develop friendship and strengthen humanities exchanges. Both the Chinese and Islamic civilizations are treasures in civilizations of mankind. Under the new situation, China would like to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the areas of culture, education, science & technology and journalism in a bid to promote dialogue and exchanges between different civilizations of the world and make new contributions to building a harmonious world.

Abdullah fully agreed with Hu's above suggestions. He said that through this visit to China, both sides have built up mutual political trust and Saudi Arabia has gained a more comprehensive understanding of China's economic and social developments and is full of confidence about broad prospect of bilateral cooperation. Saudi Arabia would like to deepen high-level exchanges and political dialogue with China, maintain communication and consultations in international and regional affairs, make full use of the mixed committee on economic and trade cooperation and other mechanisms, promote mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of economy & trade, energy and infrastructure and encourage humanities exchanges.

Both sides also exchanged views on the situations in the Middle East and Gulf Region.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly attended the signing ceremony of the protocol on cooperation in the areas of petroleum, natural gas and mineral resources between the two governments, the summary of the 3rd meeting of the mixed committee on economic, trade, investment and technological cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia, the agreement on vocational training cooperation between both sides and other cooperation documents.

Prior to the talks, Hu held a welcome ceremony for Abdullah's visit to China in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Xu Jialu, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice Chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Liu Yandong, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic National Construction Association Chen Mingde, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Director of the State Development and Reform Commission Ma Kai, Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Wu Chunhua and other officials attended the welcome ceremony.