MONITORING DESK
RIYADH: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh on Wednesday amid frayed relations between the two countries and the United States, the official news agency of China, Xinhua, reported.
The visit of the Xi Jinping will include a “Saudi-Chinese meeting,” an Arab-China and a China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meeting, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Rumors of the Xi Jinping’s visit to Saudi Arabia have been circulating for months as the countries have solidified their relations, possibly to the United States’ dismay.
Chinese President’s visit to enhance trade ties
The visit comes against the backdrop of several disagreements harbored by the US toward both Riyadh and Beijing, including differences over human rights, oil production, and several other issues.
Saudi Arabia hosting the Chinese President is only emblematic of the nature of their growing ties, particularly around security, trade, and oil. Saudi Arabia and China are expected to ink deals worth over $29 billion during the Chinese President’s visit to Riyadh.
Currently, China is Saudi Arabia’s biggest trade partner, with the value of Saudi Arabia’s exports to China has crossed $50 billion last year, forming more than 18 percent of Saudi Arabia’s total exports in 2021
