Chinese president in Saudi visit

President Hu is visiting China's main oil supplier

Chinese President Hu Jintao has begun a three-day trip to Saudi Arabia aimed at strengthening ties between China and its main oil supplier.

China's growing thirst for oil has helped push crude prices above $75 a barrel in New York for the first time.

President Hu flew straight to Riyadh on Saturday from Washington, where he met US President George W Bush.

Saudi Arabia is opening its economy to the outside world and is eyeing new export opportunities in Asia.

The kingdom joined the World Trade Organisation in December.

A month later, King Abdullah headed a large delegation to China to help develop Saudi trade links with Asian economies.

Saudi Arabia was China's top oil supplier in 2005, providing 17.5% of its imports with 443,600 barrels per day.

President Hu visited the headquarters of Saudi industrial giant Saudi Basic Industries Corp, and discussed plans for a $5.2bn (£2.9bn) refinery and petrochemical project in north-eastern China.

Saudi Arabia and China signed defence, security and trade agreements on the first day of the presidential visit.