During a visit aimed at deepening strategic relations, Saudi Arabia and China reaffirmed their cooperation on the global oil market and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs. This comes at a time when Washington’s ties with Riyadh appear to be getting weaker.
Since the official state visit began on Wednesday, Saudi King Salman and Chinese President Xi Jinping have signed a number of strategic deals, one of which involves the Chinese tech giant Huawei.
The two sides said they “exchanged views regarding ways to strengthen and develop comprehensive strategic partnership relations between the Kingdom and China” in a joint statement on Friday.
It focused on the standards of sway and “non-impedance” while certifying the significance of a tranquil answer for the Ukraine struggle.
They agreed that Iran must adhere to “principles of good-neighborliness” and “strengthen joint cooperation to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program” in response to Gulf security concerns regarding Iran, another oil supplier to China with whom Beijing has good ties.
The Chinese leader claimed that his trip, during which he will meet other oil producers in the Gulf and take part in a larger Arab League summit on Friday, marked the beginning of a “new era” in relations.
According to Xi, who was quoted by the foreign ministry, “China looks forward to working with Saudi Arabia and Arab states to turn the two summits into milestone events in the history of China-Arab relations and China-GCC relations, and bring these relations to new heights.”
In addition to the heads of state and prime ministers of Iraq, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, and Lebanon, attendees include the emir of Qatar, the crown prince of Kuwait, and the presidents of Egypt, Tunisia, Djibouti, Somalia, and Mauritania.
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‘Internal affairs of the Kingdom’
The “one-China principle,” according to which the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is the sole legal government and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, was reiterated by Riyadh.
China is determined to prevent Taiwan’s independence and unite the island with mainland China. The PRC is recognized as China’s sole legal government by Western governments, including the United States, but unofficial ties to Taiwan are also maintained.
Beijing, on the other hand, “affirmed its opposition to any actions that would interfere in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s internal affairs.”
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According to the statement, the two parties agreed to investigate investment opportunities in the petrochemicals sector as well as sources of renewable energy and emphasized the significance of global oil market stability.
Saudi Arabia is China’s primary source of crude oil imports, making it the world’s largest importer.
In addition, they applauded Saudi companies’ participation in various energy and investment partnerships as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, a massive infrastructure project that stretches from East Asia to Europe and improves “the Kingdom’s location as a regional center for Chinese companies.”
Strengthening ties
Despite Beijing’s efforts to strengthen ties with Gulf states over the past few years, the country’s foreign ministry this week called Xi’s trip the “largest-scale diplomatic activity between China and the Arab world” since the PRC was established.
The world’s second-largest economy is seen as a crucial partner by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in his ambitious megaprojects, such as the futuristic $500 billion megacity Neom.
At a time when relations with their long-term allies in the United States appear to be mired in disagreements, the Saudis are also pushing to diversify their economic and political alliances.
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In spite of criticism from lawmakers in Washington regarding concerns regarding human rights, US President Joe Biden made a trip to Saudi Arabia in July in an effort to persuade the Saudis to increase their oil production and reduce the cost of gas at the pump.
In October, the Saudi-led OPEC+ agreed to cut oil production by two million barrels, which Biden’s administration saw as a direct insult in advance of the midterm elections in 2022.
As they attempt to navigate a polarized world order with an eye on national economic and security interests, Saudi Arabia and Gulf allies have been defiant in the face of US pressure to break with fellow OPEC+ oil producer Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and to limit dealings with China.
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA
