On January 15, 2012, visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Saudi Arabia's King and Prime Minister Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz in Riyadh. Both sides agreed to make concerted efforts to enhance bilateral relations under a strategic framework.
In their meeting, Premier Wen first conveyed President Hu Jintao's cordial greetings and good wishes. 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 regional and international situations are undergoing profound changes, China is willing to strengthen coordination with Saudi Arabia on major issues, develop an all-around partnership in the energy sector, expand cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, high-tech, finance, security and law enforcement, so as to enrich the strategic contents of the bilateral relations, he added.
Echoing Premier Wen's comments on bilateral ties, King Abdullah appreciated China for adopting a friendly policy towards Saudi Arabia. He said that the government and people of Saudi Arabia cherish friendly feelings for China and wish it continuous development, adding 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 guide 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 respects the choice of the peoples in those countries, understands and supports their appeal for reforms, and backs 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.
Following the talks, the two leaders attended the signing ceremony of relevant bilateral cooperation documents.
On the same day, Wen also met with the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia and representatives from Chinese-funded institutions and overseas Chinese in Saudi Arabia, extending the New Year greetings to them.