King Abdullah and Chinese President Hu Jintao, listen to their respective national anthems during the Kings welcome ceremony at Beijing’s great hall of the people (AP)
BEIJING, AP -King Abdullah met with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing on Monday, amid efforts by China to secure overseas oil and gas reserves for its power-hungry economy.
Abdullah’s three-day visit was the first by a Saudi ruler since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1990.
Hu told Abdullah during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that the visit would help “write a new chapter of friendly cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in the new century.” Reporters were asked to leave the room shortly after the talks began.
Hu and Abdullah, who arrived in China on Sunday, were expected to discuss cooperation in energy and trade, the official Xinhua News Agency said earlier.
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and Chinese President Hu Jintao, inspect the guard of honor during the welcome ceremony at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People (AP)
King Abdullah (centre left) and Chinese President Hu Jintao (centre right) stand with officials at a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Monday (EPA)