Riyadh  - Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for an official three-day visit aimed at boosting ties between the two countries.

Saudi King Abdullah and Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal were among those who welcomed Hu at the airport, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

In addition to holding talks with the Saudi monarch, Hu is expected to witness the signing of several agreements on trade and energy cooperation, including oil agreements.

The oil-rich kingdom is China's largest energy supplier, supplying more than 36 million tons of oil last year. Bilateral trade, which is worth about 42 billion dollars, is dominated by oil and oil products.

China is seeking to expand its influence in the Gulf by nurturing strategic ties with Saudi Arabia, a traditional ally of the United States.

After Saudi Arabia, Hu is scheduled to begin a tour of Africa, visiting Mali, Senegal, Tanzania and Mauritius. (dpa)