China’s Xi Jinping meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi Arabia and China have signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, Saudi state news agency SPA reported on Thursday during a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Saudi Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman received Xi Jinping in the royal residence, the Jamamah Palace in the capital Riyadh. The Chinese head of state is also to meet King Salman afterwards.

Xi and Mohammed talked about increased cooperation in various fields, SPA reported. They discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest, the agency added, without elaborating.

‘New Era’ for China and Arab World

Xi arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for a three-day visit. In a newspaper article published in Saudi Arabia, Xi wrote that he wanted to usher in “a new era for relations between China and the Arab world.” For him, the Arab states represented “countries with enormous potential” because of their natural resources, their construction industry and their diverse economic sectors.

Investment deals worth billions

Both countries signed deals worth billions. Chinese and Saudi companies also signed 34 investment deals in construction, transportation, information technology and green hydrogen on Wednesday. According to the state broadcaster Al Echbariya, 20 further agreements worth the equivalent of 27.8 billion euros should be agreed.

Xi and Mohammed attended a ceremony to sign the cooperation agreements, including deals on energy, investment and Chinese language teaching in Saudi Arabia.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and China have grown steadily in recent years. Beijing has become an important trading partner for Riyadh, while the Chinese side is heavily dependent on Saudi Arabian oil.

USA criticizes the state visit

US President Joe Biden was five months earlier also on a state visit to Saudi Arabia. At the moment, however, relations between the USA and Saudi Arabia are ailing. There have recently been tensions between Riyadh and Washington over the issues of energy policy and human rights.

The White House on Wednesday warned of the “influence that China is trying to develop around the world.” Beijing’s goals are “not conducive to maintaining the order based on international rules”.

go/uh (dpa, AFP)