From December 7 to 10, President Xi Jinping of China visited Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the inaugural China-Arab States Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, and to engage in a state visit. The visit was characterized by Saudi officials as a step toward enhancing the already deepening relations between the two nations. Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading oil exporter, counts China as its largest trading partner, which underscores the importance of their relationship to global oil markets. Both countries are working to diversify their energy portfolios.
China values Saudi Arabia’s unique position as the only Middle Eastern country in the G20 and views the Kingdom as a stabilizing force within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). This relationship is seen as vital for the sustained growth of the global economy and oil trade, underlining Saudi Arabia’s international significance to China. The two countries have been collaborating closely to coordinate their stances on global economic and political stability. The 2017 visit by King Salman bin Abdulaziz to China highlighted the mutual respect and cooperation between the two nations. The Saudi monarch praised the countries’ bilateral relations and strategic cooperation in economic, political, and cultural spheres, supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Both nations are members of international organizations and economic groups like the World Trade Organization and the G20. Their economic ties involve numerous bilateral and business agreements, with the majority of Saudi exports to China consisting of oil. China has been Saudi Arabia’s top trading partner for the last five years, leading in both exports from and imports to the Kingdom since 2018. Analysts observe a shift in Saudi Arabia’s international alliances, indicating a pivot from traditional Western alignments towards Eastern partnerships, particularly with China. President Xi Jinping’s visit signifies a notable change in the regional dynamics, which have historically been influenced significantly by the United States, especially through its military presence. The visit comes amidst strained Riyadh-Washington relations and represents a shift towards a more multipolar global landscape, advocated by China, Russia, and other nations.
The U.S. has expressed concern over this growing partnership, cautioning Saudi Arabia, a longstanding strategic ally, about Beijing’s expanding regional influence. Conversely, China views the summit with Gulf Arab states and Saudi Arabia as a major diplomatic venture with the Arab world, coinciding with Riyadh’s aims to diversify its global alliances. The future of Saudi-China relations seems to pivot on three core areas: aligning development strategies, deepening pragmatic cooperation in various sectors, and bolstering regional multilateral cooperation, including resuming free trade talks between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council, supporting the multilateral trading system, and enhancing G20 coordination. This indicates a promising outlook for bilateral economic and trade relations.
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