On May 12, 2010, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met respectively with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud bin al-Faisal at the Great Hall of the People. Wen said China attaches great importance to the fourth ministerial meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum to be held in Tianjin and believes the meeting will achieve success and advance China-Arab relations with the joint efforts of both sides.

During the meeting with Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani, Wen said the two nations in recent years have increased mutual political trust and common interests and enjoy a solid foundation and favorable conditions for expanding bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation. China will work with Qatar to seize the opportunity to cope with the international financial crisis and actively advance cooperation in energy, finance and infrastructure construction, Wen said. "This will help promote economic growth in the two nations and push forward the bilateral friendship," the premier said.

The Qatari Prime Minister said his country attaches importance to building a friendly and cooperative relationship with China based on mutual trust. Qatar will implement in earnest agreements and consensus reached by both sides and work with China to deepen upstream-downstream integration cooperation in the oil and gas sector, expand mutual investment, and explore cooperation in other areas, he said.

Following the meeting, both sides attended a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the energy and financial sectors between the two governments.

When meeting with Saud bin al-Faisal, Wen said that China attaches great importance to Saudi Arabia's influence in Middle East and Arab world, adding China hopes to increase its strategic communication and coordination with Saudi Arabia to safeguard regional and world peace and stability.

As Saudi Arabia is now China's largest economic and trading partner in West Asia and North Africa, both countries enjoy great potential in economic and trade cooperation, Wen said, calling for continued efforts of both sides for more outcomes in bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

Saud bin al-Faisal said the two nations enjoy many common ideas in international relations. Saudi Arabia applauds China's fair position on Middle East issues and values its traditional friendship with China, he added. Saudi Arabia has strong political will to develop relations with China, and will work with China to maintain high level visits, expand cooperation in energy and investment, and increase coordination in international and regional affairs, he said.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and other officials attended the above activities.