Chinese President Jiang Zemin expressed his belief November 2 that the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia can play an important role in advancing Sino-Saudi cooperation in the oil sector.

During his meeting in Dman with Prince Mohamad, governor of the Eastern Province, Jiang noted that the region is an important oil industrial base where the country's famous oil companies and institutions are located, and is convenient in terms of transport as it is near the sea.

He praised the province for its contribution to the rise of the Saudi economy and for providing a large number of professionals for the country's oil industry.

President Jiang said that oil cooperation is an important aspect of Sino-Saudi relationship. He added that the two countries agreed to establish strategic cooperation in the sector of oil during Crown Prince Abdul Aziz's visit to China last year.

During his on-goning visit, Jiang said, he held in-depth discussions with Saudi leaders on bilateral cooperation in the oil sector, which produced positive results.

Prince Mohamad said that although the time of Jiang's visit to Saudi Arabia is short, it is a fruitful visit.

He said that the memorandum of understanding on oil cooperation signed during Jiang's visit is good news, which will help advance the development of the Eastern Province as well as the growth of the relations between the region and China. (Xinhua)