Saudi Arabia, China sign deals on tech, climate for Xi’s visit

Adam Lucente

Xi Saudi Arabia — A picture taken on Dec. 7, 2022, in Riyadh shows the Chinese and the Saudi flags adorning a street ahead of the Chinese president's visit to the Saudi capital. Chinese President Xi Jinping will make a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia this week, meeting the king and de facto ruler of the world's biggest oil exporter. — FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia and China signed a number of agreements on Wednesday at the outset of President Xi Jinping’s visit to the kingdom.

Xi arrived in Riyadh Wednesday for a three-day visit, and was greeted by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan at Riyadh's airport. He was expected to meet Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, then participate in two summits with Gulf and Arab states.

The Chinese leader praised Sino-Saudi ties noting that two countries have signed a strategic partnership in 2016 based on "continued mutual trust." Since then, bilateral relations have contributed to "peace, stability, prosperity and development in the region," he said according to the Saudi news outlet Al-Arabiya.

Farhan said that Saudi-Chinese economic relations are progressing at an "accelerated pace."

Saudi Arabia, China sign deals on tech, climate for Xi’s visit

The trip is a sign that Saudi Arabia is seeking more cooperation with China, especially in regards to energy and despite the kingdom’s relationship with the United States.

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