On his part, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz paid two visits to China in 1998 and in 2006. The mutual visits between the leaders of the Kingdom and China have given a strong impetus to the growing cooperation between the two countries in various fields. During the visit paid by President Jintao to the Kingdom in 2006, the two countries signed an agreement on security cooperation, defense system contract, and Memorandums of Understanding for cooperation in health and trade fields. In the cultural field, the two countries signed an agreement for cooperation in cultural and educational spheres in 2002. The efforts of relief and assistance provided by Saudi Arabia to the affected area after the disastrous earthquake that hit Chinese Chuan Province reflected the deep feelings of friendship from the Saudi people towards the Chinese people. There are 21 million Muslim people in China, more than 30,000 mosques and more than 40,000 imams. Last Year, the number of Chinese pilgrims reached 21,000. In a press conference last week, Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom Yang Hong commended the role played by Saudi Arabia in the region and its addressing of regional issues particularly the important role of the Kingdom, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, in Arab and Islamic worlds. He expressed his country's appreciation for the Kingdom's role. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/633880