Saudi Arabia Looks to Asian Markets

The lavish welcome Saudi Arabia accorded Chinese President Hu Jintao has become a hallmark of the overtures the kingdom now makes to Asia’s growing and energy-hungry economies as it seeks to diversify the market for its increasingly pricey oil.

On Sunday, Hu responded to the gracious welcome by offering in a speech to the Consultative Council _ a rare honor for a foreign visitor _ to work with Arab countries to bring peace to the restive region. He then met with Crown Prince Sultan before heading to the headquarters of the Saudi oil company Aramco in the Eastern Province for a tour of the premises