Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia started on Thursday an official visit to the People's Republic of China at the invitation of Vice President of People's Republic of China Li Yuanchao. The Crown Prince said in a statement upon arrival in Beijing that his visit comes within the framework of the close relations between the two countries, stressing the desire to strengthen and develop these relations, noting that the relations between the two countries have seen a distinctive quantum leap after the two historical visits paid to China by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 1998 and 2006 , and by the late Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 2000. These visits have contributed to the enhancement of relations at various levels emanating from the keenness of the leaderships of the two countries on their promotion to meet the aspirations of the two friendly peoples and strengthen the common interests of the two countries. He emphasized that his visit comes within the framework of the Kingdom's keenness to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in all fields and enhance consultation and coordination between them on regional and international issues of common interest, as well as supporting the development regionally and internationally. The Crown Prince expressed his great pleasure for paying this important visit to China, indicating that he will be honored to convey the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Vice President Li Yuanchao , and Premier of State Council LI Keqiang.
