Taiwan Today

President Yen Chia-kan paid a friendship visit to Saudi Arabia July 10-12 as the state guest of King Khaled. This was an expression of the close relationship which has developed between the Republic of China and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in recent years. Engineers and techni­cians from Taiwan have been helping the Saudi Arabians with their ambitious construction program. Saudi Arabia has backed the Republic of China internationally and supplied petroleum and loans for the Taiwan economy. King Khaled and President Yen are shown here on the canopied reviewing stand just after the Chinese chief executive had arrived in Jeddah. The Boeing 707 of China Airlines that carried President Yen on the long journey can be seen in the background.

President Yen arrives at Dhah­ran for an overnight stay before going on to Jeddah. He saw one of Saudi Arabia's big oil refineries near Dhahran on the way home. (top) King Khaled and the Chinese chief of state exchanged leading decorations of the two countries. President Yen also decorated Crown Prince Fahd. (center) The Saudi Arabia mon­arch and President Yen developed a warm and friendly relation­ship during their several personal conversations. (bottom) King Khaled gave an audience to each member of President Yen's party. Military honors were accorded President Yen by the royal honor guard of the Kingdom. Staff members of the Chinese Embassy were on hand to greet the chief executive at the airport in Jeddah. President Yen was able to see many of the hundreds of Chinese engineers and technicians who are working in Saudi Arabia. He also saw representatives of the overseas Chinese community.

Above: President Yen and his official party exchanged views with the top leaders of Saudi Arabia. Technical cooperation between the countries is to be expanded. The Republic of China is assured of all the oil it needs as fuel and for its fast-growing petro­chemical industry. Right: the Chinese chief executive visited a desalinization plant at Jeddah and was briefed on its operation. Such plants will provide ample water for the cities and farms of the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coastline. Below: President Yen gave a press conference before de­parting Jeddah and expressed his appreciation for a memorable visit and the warm hospitality of King Khaled.