Strangers to Strategic Allies: An Overview of Thriving, Prospering and Blossoming Sino-Saudi Relations

Abstract

Over the last one-decade, Saudi Arabia has adopted the policy of “Looking East” and is rigorously busy in developing and augmenting its economic and diplomatic relations with China. Since 2016, China and Saudi Arabia have strongly supported and complemented each other via China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the Saudi Vision 2030. In January 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a grand state visit to Saudi Arabia, during which both countries decided to enter a comprehensive strategic partnership. Later in March 2017, Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz visited China and endorsed the Belt and Road Initiative project of China. By reciprocating, China expressed its support for Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of the 2030 Vision and offered its help to Saudi Arabia in achieving a diversified economy. So, both countries are busy in cementing their relations upon the synergy of their two signature programs i.e. China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Vision 2030. This article highlights the historical overview of Sino-Saudi relations, describing how the two countries transitioned from mutual apathy to diplomatic relations, and then how this relationship grew to the point that they entered into a comprehensive strategic partnership.