Hong Kong, Asharq Al-Awsat- Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz arrived in Malaysia Monday on the third leg of an Asian tour hat has already taken him to China and India . He will hold talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the current head of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

On Sunday, the monarch met with members of the official delegation, including editors in chief of Saudi newspapers and magazines, whilst visiting Hong Kong . He described his recent visits to China and India as successful by all standards.

“The leaders of the two countries have expressed their desire to strengthen their relations with Saudi Arabia,” the King said, which will serve the interests of Saudi Arabia , China and India .

He indicated the aim of his Asian tour was to open new horizons for industrial and commercial cooperation between Saudi Arabia and other developing countries.

On the relations between India and Pakistan, where he is scheduled to arrive later this week, King Abdullah described Pakistan as a friendly and brotherly country. “I have told this to our friends in India who have understood this Saudi position,” he said.

Asked whether his visit to China and India indicated a shift in Saudi foreign policy, especially with regards to the USA , the Saudi monarch said relations between Riyadh and Washington were at their best level and that no change would occur in this respect.

King Abdullah rejected media reports accusing Saudi Arabia of backing terrorism. “How can we support our enemies? I have this fact to word leaders. Saudi Arabia has suffered greatly because of terrorism, more than any other country. He also spoke about Riyadh ’s campaign to campaign to root out terrorism and dry up its sources as well as detain the perpetrators, at a significant human cost.

The Saudi monarch discussed the role of the media and said, “I am in favor of objective criticism based on facts”, emphasizing the importance of integrity.

The King also answered questions from the editors and heard their comments on his visits to China and India on the of basis viewpoints expressed by their counterpart in both countries.

King Abdullah and the accompanying delegation toured the city of Hong Kong and visited its most important historical and natural landmarks on Sunday.