On April 22, Chinese President Hu Jintao, who was on his state visit to Saudi Arabia, held talks with King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz. Both sides reached important consensus on strengthening bilateral friendly cooperation in all areas and pushing strategic friendly cooperative relations for further development.

Hu indicated that China attaches great importance to developing bilateral ties. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 16 years ago, bilateral relations have made great progress. Both sides have become good friends that rely on each other and good partners in sincere cooperation. Early this year, both sides reached consensus on establishing their strategic friendly cooperative relations, which marks that bilateral relations have entered a new development stage. The main purpose of Hu's current visit to Saudi Arabia is to further strengthen friendly cooperation in various areas and push for continuous development of bilateral strategic friendly cooperative relations. China would like to work with Saudi Arabia to consolidate mutual trust, conduct communication and exchanges in various fields and at multiple levels, lay a solid foundation for developing strategic friendly cooperative relations, enhance consultations and coordination on major international and regional issues, expand consensus and make joint efforts in promoting peace and stability of the Middle East and Gulf region, the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

Hu pointed out that to strengthen pragmatic cooperation in the principle of mutual benefits is precious experience for smooth development of bilateral relations and in the current stage bilateral cooperation should center on the following five aspects. First, to expand investment and cooperation between businesses. China supports and encourages its businesses to actively participate in infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia. China would like to train personnel for Saudi Arabia in the areas of industrial and agricultural technologies, vocational education, environmental improvement and IT and contribute to development of Saudi Arabian national industries. Second, to deepen energy cooperation, expand trade of crude oil and explore cooperation in the areas of oil storage facilities, oil refining, petroleum chemicals and sale. Third, to enlarge bilateral trade scale and increase kinds of exports and imports. China would like to work along with Saudi Arabia to accelerate the process of negotiations on the free trade zone between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Fourth, to promote exchanges in the humanities areas including culture and education and build up mutual understanding and friendship between both peoples. Fifth, to improve cooperative mechanisms and give full play to them.

Abdullah indicated his full agreement with what Hu had said. He said that Saudi Arabia hopes to develop sincere friendship and conduct all-round cooperation in all areas with China. Bilateral cooperation is conducive to the two countries, as well as peace, stability and prosperity of this region.

Both sides also exchanged views on the regional situation, the conflicts between Palestine and Israel and the Iraqi issue. Hu said that China pays close attention to the situation in the Middle East and Gulf region and strives for peace and development of this region. China advocates that all actions and proposals related to the Middle East and Gulf region should be aimed at realizing peace of this region, dialogue should be taken as an approach for realizing peace, the choices by all countries of this region and their people should be respected and efforts should be made to hold broad consultations with all states in this region. China would like to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Saudi Arabia and jointly promote stability and development of this region.

Abdullah appreciated China's constructive role in realizing peace and promoting economic and social development in this region and hoped that China will pay closer attention to issues of this region and continue to play a positive role for resolution of related issues.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan attended the meeting.

Following the talks, Hu and Abdullah attended the signing ceremony of related cooperative documents between both sides.

Prior to the talks, Hu attended the grand welcoming ceremony hosted by Abdullah.

On the evening of the same day, Hu attended the welcoming banquet held by King Abdullah.

On the same day, Hu also met with Prince Alwaleed.