China and Saudi Arabia signed energy, defence and security deals on Saturday on the first day of a visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao to the oil-rich kingdom focusing on economic and energy co-operation.
The Chinese leader also discussed a proposed 5.2-billion-dollar energy venture in China with officials of Saudi petrochemical giant the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC).
Hu's visit, which will take him to the headquarters of state oil conglomerate Saudi Aramco, comes just three months after Saudi King Abdullah went to China.
The trip underlines the fast growing ties between the two countries as Beijing looks for oil to fuel its growth and Riyadh forges partnerships with Asian powers.