Editor's note: As Arab states pursue a foreign policy of independence, their ties with China are not stepping on anyone’s toes. Both China and the Arab world stress respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as non-interference in internal affairs. Such principles are valued in maintaining long-term stable and strong ties. Their relations show "unity and cooperation" at a time of global division and ideological confrontation, contributing to a multipolar world.
Soon after his trip to Southeast Asia for G20 and APEC meetings, President Xi Jinping is in Saudi Arabia for a state visit and to attend meetings with Gulf and Arab leaders.
The two countries have strong energy ties. Seventeen percent of China’s oil imports came from Saudi Arabia in 2021, and 27 percent of Saudi Arabian oil is exported to China, its top market, more than the U.S. and Europe combined. China is Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner, with over 18 percent of the kingdom’s exports going to China in 2021.
Politically, the two countries have enjoyed improving relations since they forged ties in 1990. Saudi Arabia is remembered as the largest donor to China after the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. King Salman was the first world leader to call President Xi to support China’s efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020. Saudi Arabia has also stated its strong support for the One China principle for the sake of peace and stability in east Asia.
President Xi’s visit is expected to further enhance ties between the two nations as they signed a strategic partnership document and around 20 initial agreements worth more than 29 billion dollars.
Relations between the world’s largest oil importer and exporter is a natural choice that serves both nations. It also helps global stability in the energy market at a time of uncertainty due to the Ukraine crisis and ensuing sanctions.
The two countries are also partners in renewable energies. While Saudi Arabia moves toward new energies, China enjoys a leading edge in solar, wind and nuclear energies.
Their economic synergies are also approaching a new level as China’s Belt and Road Initiative is well-suited with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic plan to diversify its economy away from oil. Landmark projects like new mega-city NEOM and its innovative centerpiece The Line are breaking ground, as new plans for manufacturing, logistics, tourism and digital finance are coming out.
Saudi Arabia is hosting the very first China-Arab States Summit as well as the meeting between leaders of China and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The event is seen as “an epoch-making milestone” in China-Arab ties.
In 2021, trade between China and Arab countries surpassed 300 billion dollars, growing 150 percent from a decade ago. During this same period, mutual direct investment totaled 27 billion dollars, an increase of 260 percent.
Cooperation between China and Arab states shows "unity and cooperation" at a time of global division and ideological confrontation.
Strong China-Arab ties contributes to a multipolar world. Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates are all seeking to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Also, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have shown interest in joining BRICS, a group of emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
As Arab states pursue a foreign policy of independence, their ties with China are not stepping on anyone’s toes. Both China and the Arab world stress respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as non-interference in internal affairs. Such principles are valued in maintaining long-term stable and strong ties.