Chinese Premier to embark on Gulf tour next Saturday

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao is to pay an official visit to Saudi Arabia next Saturday, the first leg of a six-day tour of a number of the GCC countries. During the visit, Wen will meet and hold talks with the GCC leaders and exchange views on the development of bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concerns, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said Tuesday. Wen''s visit will boost the development of relations between China and not only Arab nations but also the Islamic world, Liu said. Premier Wen will also attend the Fifth World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi at the invitation of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Liu said. Liu said Premier Wen will address the summit and elaborate on China's energy policy.