Saudi Arabia - China - President Hu to Visit Riyadh

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ITEM OF INTEREST
February 5, 2009

Sino-Saudi Relations:
President Hu to Visit Riyadh

Editor's Note:

President Hu Jintao will travel to four countries in Africa and Saudi Arabia from February 10-17, 2009 according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson. This will be Hu's second visit to Saudi Arabia and underscores the importance Beijing and Riyadh attach to the bilateral relationship. In January 2006 King Abdullah, on his first overseas travel after ascending to the throne, went to Beijing -- the first Saudi King to visit China. The relationship was expanded through President Hu's visit three months later. This Riyadh trip was the first stop for Hu after a Washington visit and talks with President Bush. [Amb. Chas Freeman's article on the visits provides interesting contrasts on how Hu was received in Washington and Riyadh and analysis of the relationships.]

In addition to reporting on King Abdullah's and President Hu's 2006 reciprocal visits, SUSRIS has assembled a broad collection of articles, interiews and special reports on the burgeoning relationship between Riyadh and Beijing, and its effect on US-Saudi relations -- available through links below. Jon Alterman and John Garvey have added to our understanding of these complex relationship through their book, "The Vital Triangle" which was profiled in SUSRIS. To this collection we add today for your consideration an overview of the upcoming state visit in the form of P.K. Abdul Ghafour's report in Arab News.

"Of all the Arab states finding themselves between the United States and China, Saudi Arabia is the most pivotal among them, and of all of the Middle Eastern countries, Saudi Arabia has courted China most assiduously."

The Vital Triangle: China, the United States, and the Middle East
by Jon B. Alterman & John W. Garver

President Hu to hold talks with Abdullah
P.K. Abdul Ghafour | Arab News

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. (Photo: Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia) JEDDAH: Chinese President Hu Jintao will visit Saudi Arabia next week, the Foreign Ministry in Beijing announced [Feb 3]. He will hold talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and senior Saudi officials on expanding Saudi-Chinese relations.

This is Hu�s second visit to the Kingdom in less than three years. The two countries signed defense, security and trade agreements when he visited Riyadh in April 2006. He also discussed with Saudi officials plans for a $5.2 billion refinery and petrochemical project in China.

During his Feb. 10-17 foreign tour, the Chinese president will also visit four African countries � Mali, Senegal, Tanzania and Mauritius, the Foreign Ministry. The trip would �expand mutual cooperation and push common development,� said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu in a news briefing.

Saudi Arabia is China�s largest trading partner in West Asia and North Africa, while China is Kingdom�s fourth largest trading partner. In the first quarter of 2008, Saudi-China trade registered a year-on-year increase of 77.4 percent to reach $8.5 billion. Saudi Arabia had sent relief supplies when China was hit by a massive earthquake last year. Abdullah telephoned President Hu to offer his sympathy and condolences to the Chinese government and people. �The gesture embodied the profound friendship of the king, the Saudi Arabian government and its people toward the Chinese people,� a Chinese official said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao Hu spoke highly of Abdullah, who attaches importance to China-Saudi Arabia relations, and his achievement toward the development of bilateral ties. �We always treat Saudi Arabia as a sincere and reliable friend and partner,� he said in an official statement.

�China is willing to work together with Saudi Arabia to constantly strengthen mutual cooperation in various fields to push the China-Saudi Arabia friendly strategic and cooperative relations to a higher level,� the president said.

Vice President Xi Jinping visited the Kingdom in June 2008 and met with King Abdullah and senior Cabinet members. Xi then told a Saudi-Chinese business meeting that, �The situation is favorable for further growth of economic cooperation in diverse fields between the Kingdom and China.�

Source: Arab News

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