Reply #25: Abdullah's visit to China is the first ever by a Saudi king

[Dover]

King to sign Saudi-China oil deals


Monday 23 January 2006, 7:48 Makka Time, 4:48 GMT


Abdullah's visit to China is the first ever by a Saudi king


Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah is expected to sign a series of agreements on energy cooperation and trade during meetings in Beijing as he continues his state visit to China.

The three-day visit that began on Sunday is the first by a Saudi ruler since the two countries formed diplomatic relations in 1990, and comes as China tries to secure overseas oil and gas reserves for its power-hungry economy.

Total trade between the two countries - much of it Saudi oil bought by China - grew by 59% in the first 11 months of 2005 to $14 billion, according to China's Foreign Ministry.

Saudi Arabia accounts for about 17% of China's imported oil.

China, the world's second biggest oil consumer, has been aggressively seeking to strengthen relationships with major oil suppliers as it grows increasingly reliant on oil imports...cont'd

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CBC42713-AB48-41...