China, Saudi Arabia to upgrade ties

A joint communique on establishing a China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic partnership will be released during President Xi Jinping's coming visit to Saudi Arabia, Vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Ming said in Beijing.

The visit will see an overall plan for both China-Saudi Arabia ties and two-way cooperation, bringing the relationship to a greater height, Zhang said.

China and Saudi Arabia established diplomatic relations in 1990 and ties have taken off in recent years.

Currently Saudi Arabia is China's largest supplier of crude oil and China's largest trade partner in the West Asia and North Africa region. China is also among the top trade partners of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia will be the first stop of the presidential visit, and will be the first time in seven years for the top Chinese leader to visit the country, Zhang said.