China's Premier Wen to visit key Mideast energy powers

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will visit three key Middle Eastern oil and gas suppliers -- Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar -- from Saturday, and attend an international meeting on energy issues, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

The brief announcement from the ministry said Wen will meet leaders from the three countries to "thoroughly exchange views on developing bilateral relations and on international and regional issues of common concern." (Reuters)