Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Saudi Arabia is marking another step in the strengthening of ties between the two nations. During the visit, Li held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, focusing on a wide range of sectors, including politics, security, energy, commerce, technology, and culture. A key element of the discussions was the ongoing alignment of China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying the Saudi economy away from oil dependence through investments in infrastructure and technology.
Links between Riyadh and Beijing are one of the essential lineaments in the Indo-Mediterranean, which is why such high-level meetings should be followed closely, even in light of the U.S.-China power competition.
Energy continues to be the cornerstone of China-Saudi relations. Saudi Arabia is China’s largest crude oil supplier, accounting for nearly 25% of its total imports. This strategic energy partnership is expected to deepen further, with crude oil supplies from Saudi Arabia to China set to rise to 46 million barrels in October 2024, according to industry sources. This surge in exports is indicative of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to secure its place as a primary energy provider to China, while both countries continue exploring joint ventures in renewable energy and advanced technologies.
In addition to energy, the meeting reinforced cooperation in other critical areas. The Fourth Meeting of the High-Level Chinese-Saudi Joint Committee emphasized mutual respect, trust, and benefit, with a clear intent to broaden collaboration. Saudi Arabia’s futuristic projects, such as the NEOM megacity, offer potential investment opportunities for Chinese companies, further intertwining the economic futures of both nations.
The visit also underscores the geopolitical dimension of the relationship. Saudi Arabia, a long-time U.S. ally, has been steadily building ties with China, especially in the wake of China’s role in mediating the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023. Both countries are keen on maintaining a strategic partnership that balances their interests in the region and globally, reinforcing their positions as key players in the Middle East and the broader international arena.
In addition to strengthening economic and political ties, China is also advancing its cultural influence in Saudi Arabia, as demonstrated by the recent introduction of Chinese-language classes in Saudi schools. This initiative is part of a broader effort sponsored by Beijing to expand its soft power in the Middle East. By promoting language learning, China is positioning itself not only as an economic partner but also as a cultural and educational influencer in the region. The introduction of Mandarin classes reflects the growing depth of China-Saudi relations, as both nations recognize the importance of cultural exchanges to solidify their strategic partnership.
This cultural penetration complements China’s broader diplomatic and economic initiatives in the Indo-Mediterranean (similarly to the political schools in Africa, e.g.), as it seeks to embed itself further into the region’s social fabric. Such moves are critical in the context of global power competition, where cultural ties can enhance influence and long-term collaboration.
At the same time, and demonstrating how the dichotomous U.S.-China issue touches Indo-Mediterranean powers such as KSA, the United States is moving, also these days, toward Riyadh. U.S. is reportedly considering easing export restrictions on Nvidia’s advanced AI chips to Saudi Arabia, underscoring the strategic competition for influence in the region. This potential move highlights Washington’s interest in maintaining its technological edge and reinforcing its relationships with key Gulf allies, especially as China’s footprint expands.
Both powers are vying for dominance in the Middle East (and in much wider p.o.v. in IndoMed), leveraging economic, technological, and cultural tools to build alliances and secure long-term interests.
