Saudi Arabia away from the US and closer to China.
According to East Asia Forum, “Oliver Bijan” has analyzed the change of Saudi Arabia’s approach towards Asia and the country’s turning away from the United States of America in an analytical report.
The translation of the text of the article follows:
Saudi Arabia’s decision in October to reduce the production of two million barrels per day in the OPEC+ production quota and the harsh reaction of the United States to it is just one example of the deviation in the relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States of America. This conflict opens up space for China to expand its political influence in the region to the detriment of the United States and its allies.
In December, President Xi Jinping visited Riyadh for the first summit between China and the Arab countries, as well as the meeting between China and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council and bilateral meetings with the Saudis. Riyadh’s grand reception for Xi was in stark contrast to President Biden’s lackluster reception. Both China and Saudi Arabia used the meeting to show the importance they attach to deepening their bilateral ties.
The reality is that given the strong security ties between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the United States – as well as China’s relations with Iran and its reluctance to act as a guarantor of security for the region – China cannot replace the United States in the short term. become America But amid U.S. concerns about competition with China, China’s expansion into the region complicates U.S. security cooperation and risks escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia.
Economically, Saudi Arabia and its Persian Gulf neighbors have looked east for years. According to the BP Global Energy Statistical Review, about 78% of Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports in 2021 and almost all of Kuwait’s and UAE’s crude oil exports went to East Asia. China is an important part of this market and has taken over a quarter of Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports and 12% of Qatar’s liquefied gas exports in 2021.
For Beijing, this area is a vital source of oil and gas. Almost 50% of China’s imported oil comes from the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia is its most important supplier. By comparison, Saudi crude oil exports to the United States have declined since 2012—the United States received only about five percent of Saudi crude oil in 2021.
