China and Saudi Arabia will make concerted efforts to take bilateral relations to a higher level under a strategic framework, visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Saudi Arabia's King and Prime Minister Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz agreed on Sunday.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) meets with Saudi Arabian King and Prime Minister Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 15, 2012. [Xie Huanchi/Xinhua]

In their meeting, Premier Wen said as a major country in the Arab and Islamic world, Saudi Arabia plays a significant role in regional and international affairs.

He said China respects Saudi Arabia's political system, development mode as well as its culture and traditions.

Wen also expressed his appreciation of Saudi Arabia's understanding of and support for China on core interests and major concerns.

As the world is undergoing profound changes, China is willing to strengthen coordination with Saudi Arabia on major issues, develop an all-around cooperative partnership in the energy sector, expand cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, high-tech, finance, security and law enforcement, so as to enrich the contents of the bilateral relations, he added.

King Abdullah said that Saudi Arabian government and people values the friendship with China, while expressing his belief that strengthening of bilateral cooperation will benefit both countries.

The Saudi king proposed setting up a Saudi Arabia-China high level committee to supervise the two countries' cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and security sectors. Premier Wen showed his support for this proposal.

Commenting on the situation in West Asia and North Africa, Wen said China respects the choice of the peoples in those countries, understands and supports their appeal for reforms, and backs the role of regional bodies like the Arab League in maintaining regional peace and stability.

King Abdullah said it was the objective of Saudi Arabia's foreign policy to maintain regional peace and stability.

Saudi Arabia and China enjoy a high level of mutual trust and share similar views on many issues, he said, adding that the Saudi side wishes to step up consultation and coordination with China.

Premier Wen has also met with other top Saudi leaders, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, and Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Abdullatif al-Zayani.

In a joint statement, the two sides hailed Wen's visit to Saudi Arabia as a complete success, which will contribute to their long-term friendly and cooperative relations.

The statement said both countries were satisfied with the progress made in bilateral cooperation, and pledged to further enhance relations within the framework of strategic relationship, so as to benefit the two peoples and contribute to regional and world peace, stability and development.

The two countries also agreed to exchange more high-level visits, and to expand trade, investment and cooperation in a wide range of areas.

The Saudi side also reiterated its adherence to the one-China policy.

Wen arrived in Saudi Arabia Saturday evening after an official visit to Nepal.

After his stay in Saudi Arabia, the Chinese leader will continue his visit to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

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