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Diplomacy
ChinaDiplomacy

Is US-Saudi row giving China a chance to expand its role in Middle East?

  • Saudi Arabian foreign minister says kingdom is preparing for a visit by President Xi Jinping
  • Fallout from Afghanistan withdrawal left many questioning US credibility in security partnerships

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Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura oil refinery and oil terminal in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Reuters
Kawala Xie
A row between the US and Saudi Arabia over oil production and Washington’s diminishing influence in the Middle East give China a chance to expand its footprint in the region, experts say.

Strengthened ties between China and countries in the Middle East, with President Xi Jinping reportedly set to visit Saudi Arabia and attend summit meetings with regional leaders after securing a third term as Communist Party general secretary, have raised the prospect of China stepping in as the US pulls back from the region.

Xi’s anticipated visit was announced by Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan after a virtual meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday, but it has yet to be confirmed by Beijing.

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The announcement came amid a US-Saudi oil dispute after Riyadh, a long-time security partner of Washington but also part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, led members of the Opec+ grouping of oil-producing countries to decide this month to cut oil production by a massive 2 million barrels a day in response to falling demand. That could drive petrol prices higher and create ripple effects in the US economy before midterm elections next month.

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Many observers saw the decision as a slap in the face for the US amid increasing tensions between Washington and Riyadh over issues ranging from human rights to Iran’s nuclear programme. Some said deteriorating ties with Saudi Arabia could see Washington lose influence in the Middle East to China, as seen in recent interactions between Beijing and Riyadh.

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High-level virtual meetings between the Chinese and Saudi Arabian foreign and energy ministers over the past week reaffirmed bilateral ties, and Beijing also voiced support for Riyadh joining BRICS, an emerging economies association composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
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