Chinese President Xi Jinping has hailed the country's first summit with Arab states as a milestone in the history of their relations, stressing close ties with the Arab world.

The summit in Saudi Arabia on Friday brought together Xi and leaders of Arab nations in the Middle East and Africa.

The Chinese side quoted Xi as saying the summit will bring friendship and cooperation for a better future.

The meeting was chaired by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He said it is important to work together in the face of global challenges over energy and food security.

He said Arab states have a great interest in China as an economic power, and expressed a willingness to strengthen cooperation with the country in various fields.

China described the summit as "the largest and highest-level diplomatic event between China and the Arab world since the founding of the People's Republic of China."

Observers say China wants to stress the importance of ties with Arab states and counter the influence of the United States in the region.

It was Xi's first visit to Saudi Arabia since 2016. He held talks with leaders and officials from over 10 states. He met with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and others.

China is believed to be trying to enhance its presence in the Arab world to secure a stable supply of oil. It is also promoting its Belt and Road initiative to create a vast economic zone.