Chinese President Xi Jinping to embark on a two day state visit to Saudi Arabia. Xi’s trip to Riyadh will include a China-Arab summit and a China-GCC conference.
At least 14 Arab heads of state are expected to attend the China-Arab summit, according to the Arab diplomatic source who described the trip as a “milestone” for Arab-Chinese relations.
Rumors of a Chinese presidential visit to the US’s largest Middle East ally have been circulating for months, but are yet to be confirmed by the governments of Saudi Arabia and China. The visit holds significant concern for the United States as its taking place at a time when Sino-US relations are frayed.
Beijing has not made an official announcement that Xi will visit Saudi Arabia.
The news of the long-awaited visit comes amid a series of US tensions with Beijing and Riyadh that, much to Washington’s dismay, have only strengthened ties in recent years.
The Saudi-led oil cartel OPEC+ cut output by two million barrels per day in October in an effort to “stabilise” prices. This sparked a heated dispute over oil production between the US and Saudi Arabia that is still ongoing. The choice was made despite a vigorous US opposition effort.
Saudi Arabia, a steadfast friend of the US for eight decades, has become resentful of what it sees as a declining US security presence in the area, particularly in light of rising threats from Iran and its armed Yemeni allies.
