Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd L) holds talks with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (3rd R) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 19, 2016. Xi arrived here on Tuesday for a state visit to Saudi Arabia, the first stop of his three-nation tour of the Middle East. [Photo: Xinhua/Ju Peng]

China and Saudi Arabia have agreed to forge a comprehensive strategic partnership, eyeing more cooperation in terms of industrial capacity.

The agreement was made during a meeting between visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Riyadh.

Xi Jinping said the move will deepen mutual strategic trust and yield greater achievements in cooperation, as well as facilitate shared interests in international and regional affairs.

For his part, the king noted that the people will benefit from the elevated ties.

Our reporter, Ding Ning, who is covering the meeting in Saudi Arabia, gives more details on the meeting.

"During the meeting, the two sides will deepen cooperation under the framework of jointly promoting the "Silk Road Economic Belt" and the "21 century Maritime Silk Road." They will further cooperation in various fields including construction of railways and power stations, investment in finance and aerospace, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Another issue is that in the past, Saudi Arabia was the first source of China's oil imports. In the meeting both sides agreed to enhance the coordination of energy policies. They have proposed to build a long-term stable strategic cooperation in energy sectors. "

The two countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding in industrial capacity cooperation, and a slew of cooperation deals.

Ding Ning says one of the highlights of these deals will see a boost to internet trade between China and Saudi Arabia.

"One of the highlights of these documents is a memorandum between China's National Development and Reform Commission and Saudi Arabian's information and technology department, which aims to jointly built an online platform of the 'Silk and Road Initiatives,' it is the first such cooperation deal that China has signed with other countries. It will help to boost internet trade and exchanges, especially the cross-border ecommerce. "

The two leaders said they appreciate the progress made in the China-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Area talks, and agreed that the free trade area should be established as early as possible.

The Chinese president arrived in Saudi Arabia on the first stop of his three-nation tour of the Middle East.

He was awarded the King Abdulaziz Medal, the highest order in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is China's biggest trading partner in West Asia and Africa, and one sixth of China's imported crude oil is from the kingdom.

China is also the biggest trade partner for Saudi Arabia, with two way trade volume growing by 230 times over that of 1990 when the two countries established diplomatic ties.

In meeting with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Xi Jinping said his country is willing to further expand the scale of oil trade between the two countries, and discuss and promote bilateral cooperation in areas of new energy, clean energy, nuclear energy and security.

King Salman welcomed Xi Jinping's first visit to the Middle East region as president, and expressed his country's willingness to strengthen coordination with China in achieving regional peace and stability.

During his meetings with Saudi Arabian leaders, the Chinese president also discussed regional issues including the situations in Syria, Yemen and Palestine.

They also voiced support for the establishment of a free zone of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East.