Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Saudi Arabia's King and Prime Minister Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz agreed on Sunday to make concerted efforts to enhance bilateral relations under a strategic framework.

In their meeting, Premier Wen said Saudi Arabia is a major country in the Arab and Islamic world, which 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, and is grateful for Saudi Arabia's understanding of and support for China regarding the latter's 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 the government and people of Saudi Arabia cherish friendly feelings for China, and that he believes the strengthening of bilateral cooperation will benefit peoples of 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 agreed with this proposal.

On the situation in West Asia and North Africa, the visiting Chinese premier said China respect the choice of the peoples in those countries, understand and support their appeal for reforms, and back the role of regional bodies like the Arab League in maintaining stability.

For his part, King Abdullah noted 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 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 Premier Wen's visit to Saudi Arabia as a complete success, which will contribute to their long-term friendly 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 agreed in the document to conduct more high-level exchanges of 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.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2012)