You say I can apply for a Saudi work visa through the embassy here in Beijing or at least contact them there. Here is a copy of my original post of Sept 15 and the reply from Mr. James:

Sep. 15,2009 23:07 Reply
Mr.Sean Williams-Bell(China) said:

Dear Sir:
I have been offered a teaching position at a renowned university in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. I am a Canadian citizen, but I live and work here in China. I hope to take my Chinese wife and son with me. What documents do I need in order to apply for a visa there?
2. Are my Chinese wife and son eligible to go also? If so what documents do they need? How long does it take to apply? How much is the cost?
They told me the job and orientation begins on September 20 2009. I think that maybe that is too short of time
thank you for your kind attention to this matter
Yours truly,
Sean Williams-Bell
Sep. 16,2009 02:53
Mr.James replied:
You should contact the Saudi Arabia embassy in China directly for help through the contacts listed on this page above.

I was told by the hiring staff for the teaching job in KSA in the UK that I had to go to Canada or Bahrain to apply for the visa, I cannot do it here in China because I am a Canadian citizen. My family are Chinese so they said your family can apply through the KSA embassy in Beijing.
Sean