RIYADH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received President Xi Jinping of China at the historic palace of Al-Muraba'a here Wednesday.

Upon arrival, the traditional Al-Ardhah (folkloric dance) was performed in which the two leaders took part.

King Salman then accompanied Xi to a tour at Al-Muraba'a palace, and hosted a luncheon in honor of Chinese president and his accompanying delegation, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

Al-Muraba'a palace was built on orders of the late King Abdulaziz to be the headquarters of the Royal Court in 1355 AH (1936 in the Gregorian calendar) and completed in 1358 AH (1939), and has become one of the most prominent landmarks of Riyadh city.

The king then presented a replica of Al-Muraba'a palace as a gift to Xi, before bidding him farewell.

Attending the ceremony were Prince Faisal bin Bandar, governor of Riyadh region; Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, and a number of princes, ministers and officials.

On Tuesday, King Salman and President Xi held wide-ranging talks at Al-Yamamah Palace and witnessed the signing of 14 agreements focused on energy, culture and industrial cooperation. They also pledged to build a strategic partnership for better bilateral ties, common development and peace and security in the world.

Hailing China as a special partner, King Salman said in his welcome speech that the challenges facing the world, particularly terrorism, require the international community to unite in countering it.

Xi’s visit comes seven years after a Chinese president last visited Saudi Arabia. He is expected in Iran later in the week, with a further stop in Egypt.