Top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng praised late Saudi Arabian King Abdullah for his contribution to China-Saudi Arabia friendship.

Yu made the comment when offering the Chinese government's condolences at the Saudi embassy in Beijing. Abdullah died on Friday at the age of 90.

Saudi Arabia's new King Salman promised to maintain policies made by his predecessors as he assumed the throne on Friday.

"King Abdullah attached great importance to relations with China, contributing greatly to the establishment and development of a strategic friendship between the two countries," Yu wrote in a condolences book.

Abdullah visited China in January 2006, the first time he traveled to a country outside the Middle East since taking office in August 2005. It was also the first visit to China by a Saudi King since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1990.

Yu also noted the excellence of Abdullah as Saudi monarch and his high prestige at home and abroad.

"I'd like to express deep sympathy over the death of King Abdullah as representative of the Chinese government and people," he wrote.