China, Saudi Arabia agree to further cooperation
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday called for concerted efforts with Saudi Arabia to achieve more in bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
"China and Saudi Arabia enjoy great potential in economic and trade cooperation," Wen told visiting Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud bin al-Faisal.
Saudi Arabia is now China's largest trading partner in West Asia and North Africa.
China has noted Saudi Arabia's influence in Middle East and Arab world, Wen said, adding China hopes to increase its strategic communication and coordination with Saudi Arabia to safeguard regional and world peace and stability.
Saud bin al-Faisal said the two nations enjoy many common ideas in international relations.
Saudi Arabia applauds China's fair position on Middle East issues and values its traditional friendship with China, he added.
Saudi Arabia hopes to develop relations with China, and will work with China to maintain high level visits, expand cooperation in energy and investment, and increase coordination in international and regional affairs, he said.
Saud bin al-Faisal is in China to attend the fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum.
Foreign ministers and officials from China and 22 Arab states will attend the two-day meeting from Thursday to Friday in north China's port city of Tianjin.
