Al-Asheikh, who is currently leading a Shoura delegation, held talks with Premier Jiabao in Beijing on Monday. Saudi Ambassador in China Yahya Al-Zaid also took part in the discussions.
Conveying Chinese President Hu Jintao’s felicitations to King Abdullah, the Chinese premier said during the meeting that Saudi Arabia and China enjoy excellent relations and China is keen on strengthening the bilateral ties by opening up new areas of cooperation. The premier pointed out that the Kingdom plays a predominant and prestigious role in the world arena.
The premier called for closer cooperation between the two countries by creating more trade and investment opportunities between the two countries to derive better yields from such joint efforts.
Responding to the premier’s statement, Shoura Council chairman said that there is security, stability and continuous prosperity in the Kingdom.
“We follow the book of Allah (Holy Qu’ran) and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which have brought the country to a dignified position,” Al-Asheikh said.
The chairman also conveyed the greetings of King Abdullah, Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, and Interior Minister Prince Naif to the president and people of China for their well-being and prosperity.
The chairman also said that the Kingdom is keen on developing parliamentary relations between the two countries.
“Such relations could lead to several areas of cooperation between the two countries.”
Al-Asheikh also appreciated China’s moderate stand on issues related to Arab and Islamic states especially regarding the stalled Palestinian problem.
The other members of the Shoura delegation included Thamir Al-Ghasyan, Saad Al-Marek,Yahya Al-Samhan and Abdul Rahman Al-Saghir.
During a visit, Chinese President Hu Jintao addressed the general assembly of the Shoura Council in Riyadh in April, 2006.
“China will always stick to the path of peaceful development, implement its mutually beneficial and win-win strategy of opening-up, and develop mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation with all other countries on the basis of the five principles of peaceful co-existence and other universally-recognized norms governing international relations, “ said Hu.
Sino-Arab friendship and cooperation have not only benefited the common development of the two sides, but also have contributed greatly to the advancement of human society, Hu noted during his address to the Shoura members.