China and Saudi Arabia will continue to expand two-way investment with an emphasis on cooperation in energy, infrastructure and telecommunications, Premier Wen Jiabao said in Beijing on Tuesday in a meeting with King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia, who is in Beijing on a state visit as President Hu Jintao's guest.

 

Wen said that as Saudi Arabia is China's biggest trade partner in West Asia and North Africa, and because both countries have witnessed rapid economic growth, they should seize the opportunity to expand cooperation and achieve common development.

 

The Chinese side will make concerted efforts with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council including Saudi Arabia to push for the signing of a bilateral free-trade agreement as early as possible, Wen said.

 

King Abdullah said there is a deep friendship between the Saudi Arabian and Chinese people and the Saudi Arabian people appreciate China's support for the just cause of the Arabian people and China's positive role in international affairs.

 

He said the two countries have firm bilateral relations and he has experienced, through his current visit, China's sincerity of pushing forward the development of bilateral ties.

 

The Saudi Arabian side will work with the Chinese side to promote bilateral reciprocal cooperation in wide-ranging spheres such as politics, economy and trade, he said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2006)